Evaluating the fat distribution in idiopathic intracranial hypertension using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning

C Hornby, H Botfield, MW O'Reilly… - Neuro …, 2018 - Taylor & Francis
Neuro-ophthalmology, 2018Taylor & Francis
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is strongly associated with obesity. We aimed to
utilise dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to characterise fat distribution, and to
evaluate change in fat mass and distribution following weight loss. IIH patients (n= 24) had a
similar fat distribution to body mass index (BMI)–and gender-matched obese controls (n=
47). In the IIH cohort, truncal fat mass correlated with lumbar puncture pressure. Weight loss
in IIH patients resulted in a significant reduction in disease activity and fat mass …
Abstract
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is strongly associated with obesity. We aimed to utilise dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to characterise fat distribution, and to evaluate change in fat mass and distribution following weight loss. IIH patients (n = 24) had a similar fat distribution to body mass index (BMI)– and gender-matched obese controls (n = 47). In the IIH cohort, truncal fat mass correlated with lumbar puncture pressure. Weight loss in IIH patients resulted in a significant reduction in disease activity and fat mass, predominantly from the truncal region (−4.40 ± 1.6%; p = 0.008) compared with the limbs (+0.79 ± 6.5%; p = 0.71). These results indicate that, contrary to previous studies using waist-hip ratios, IIH adiposity is centripetal, similar to simple obesity. Future studies should establish the risk of the metabolic syndrome and the role of adipose tissue depot–specific function in IIH.
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