Predictive value of retroperitoneal fat area measurement for detecting metabolic syndrome in patients undergoing adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Visceral obesity is one of the main components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The retroperitoneal fat area (RFA) is part of the intraabdominal adipose mass. The aim of this clinical trial was to determine whether there is an association between the RFA measurement and MetS components in patients undergoing laparoscopic lateral transabdominal adrenalectomy. METHODS: The study population consisted of 61 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy between January 2007 and June 2010 at the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Anthropometric, demographic, and biochemical parameters as well as cardiometabolic risk factors were recorded. The RFA was calculated using computed tomography. RESULTS: The mean body mass index, waist circumference, and RFA in patients with MetS was significantly higher than that of the patients without MetS. There were positive correlations between RFA and central obesity (r=0.675, p=0.0001) and MetS (r=0.894, p=0.0001). The strongest correlation was observed between RFA and MetS. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, RFA measurement correctly predicted MetS risk in 96% of patients and failed in only 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that measurement of the RFA may provide a safe, easy assessment of its metabolic risk.