Estimation of body fat and lean tissue distribution by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal body fat evaluation by computed tomography in Cushing's disease.

Abstract

Body composition determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and the abdominal visceral fat component determined by computed tomographic scanning were examined in women with Cushing's disease and compared with those in obese women with the same anthropometric parameters and those in nonobese women. Patients with Cushing's had no increase in total body fat or the trunk region (android) component, but had a higher intraabdominal fat area compared to the obese subjects. The total lean tissue mass was slightly reduced in Cushing's compared to that in the obese subjects due to a significant decrease in the muscle of the legs and arms; the reduced amounts of fat and lean tissue masses in the arms were the most significant findings in hypercortisolism. The body mineral and bone calcium contents were slightly reduced in Cushing's compared to those in the obese controls. Thus, although obese subjects had more fat and lean tissue and mineral masses than their normal weight counterparts, the Cushing's patients, with the same total fat mass and its components (except in the arms) as obese individuals, present total lean tissue and fractions, including body mineral and bone calcium contents, similar to those in nonobese subjects due to the depletion of the protein depots, as seen in hypercortisolism.

Hormonal Determinants of Regional Body Composition in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa and Controls

“…Treatment of Cushing syndrome results in a decrease in fat mass, especially truncal fat (40). Cushing syndrome is also associated with a decrease in muscle mass, and in particular extremity muscle mass, as demonstrated by a decrease in arm muscle area (23) and decreased muscle in legs and arms by DXA (24). Our subjects with AN did not have increased fat mass or increased trunk fat, although levels of cortisol were higher than in controls.…”

“…A loss of muscle mass with hypercortisolemia has also been reported (23,24). E2 causes a gynecoid distribution of body fat (25,26).…”

The effects of atypical antipsychotics on visceral fat distribution in first episode, drug-naive patients with schizophrenia

“…Thirdly, BMI does not correlate as well with IAF distribution as does WHR, which was increased in our patients (both before and after treatment) (Seidell et al, 1989;Garrow, 1998). This fact is borne out by the observation that non-psychiatrically ill patients with obesity who had a BMI of 32.1 (kg/m 2 ) had IAF deposits of 88.5 cm 2 as detected by CT scanning (Wajchenberg et al, 1995), which was far less than our pretreatment group (116.8 cm 2 ; BMI = 24.6 kg/m 2 ). Finally, the increase in vigorous exercise taken and the decrease in plasma levels of cortisol may have mitigated against a significant increase in IAF and SCF as such changes in these parameters have a positive influence on not only weight but also visceral fats stores (Wajchenberg, 2000).…”

Metabolic comorbidities in Cushing's syndrome

“…CS patients have reduced lean mass, due to muscle loss of the limbs, compared to obese subjects with the same total fat mass (206). Respiratory muscle strength does not seem to be affected in CS (207).…”