Application of abdominal fat distribution characteristics in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease

Objective To explore the application of abdominal fat distribution characteristics by CT quantitative analysis in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD). Methods A total of 43 CD patients and 27 normal patients who underwent CT enterography in the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command from January 2017 to June 2019 were enrolled and their clinical data were retrospective analyzed. Their abdominal fat volume, mean fat density and waist circumference were measured. Both groups were compared for fat distribution characteristic parameters. A logistic regression model was constructed and a ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the efficiency of fat distribution characteristic parameters in CD diagnosis. Then, Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between fat distribution characteristic parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results Compared with the CD group, the normal group showed increases in subcutaneous fat volume (SFV), total fat volume (TFV) and waist circumference (WC) (P0.05), and decreases in the mean density of subcutaneous fat (MDSF), the mean density of visceral fat (MDVF) and fat volume index (FVI) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in visceral fat volume (VFV) between the two groups (P=0.175). When the logistic regression model was used for CD diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity were 69.8% and 88.9% respectively, with an area under the curve was 0.848. The MDVF was positively correlated with CRP. Conclusions CT quantitative analysis of abdominal fat distribution characteristics is useful in diagnosis of CD.