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Zammit M, Agius R, Fava S, Vassallo J, Pace NP. Association between a polygenic lipodystrophy genetic risk score and diabetes risk in the high prevalence Maltese population. Acta Diabetol 2024; 61:555-564. [PMID: 38280973 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-023-02230-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is genetically heterogenous, driven by beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance drives the development of cardiometabolic complications and is typically associated with obesity. A group of common variants at eleven loci are associated with insulin resistance and risk of both type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. These variants describe a polygenic correlate of lipodystrophy, with a high metabolic disease risk despite a low BMI. OBJECTIVES In this cross-sectional study, we sought to investigate the association of a polygenic risk score composed of eleven lipodystrophy variants with anthropometric, glycaemic and metabolic traits in an island population characterised by a high prevalence of both obesity and type 2 diabetes. METHODS 814 unrelated adults (n = 477 controls and n = 337 T2DM cases) of Maltese-Caucasian ethnicity were genotyped and associations with phenotypes explored. RESULTS A higher polygenic lipodystrophy risk score was correlated with lower adiposity indices (lower waist circumference and body mass index measurements) and higher HOMA-IR, atherogenic dyslipidaemia and visceral fat dysfunction as assessed by the visceral adiposity index in the DM group. In crude and covariate-adjusted models, individuals in the top quartile of polygenic risk had a higher T2DM risk relative to individuals in the first quartile of the risk score distribution. CONCLUSION This study consolidates the association between polygenic lipodystrophy risk alleles, metabolic syndrome parameters and T2DM risk particularly in normal-weight individuals. Our findings demonstrate that polygenic lipodystrophy risk alleles drive insulin resistance and diabetes risk independent of an increased BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zammit
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
| | - Rachel Agius
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
| | - Stephen Fava
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
| | - Josanne Vassallo
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta
| | - Nikolai Paul Pace
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta.
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Room 325, Msida, MSD2080, Malta.
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Agius R, Pace NP, Fava S. Anthropometric and Biochemical Correlations of Insulin Resistance in a Middle-Aged Maltese Caucasian Population. J Nutr Metab 2024; 2024:5528250. [PMID: 38420511 PMCID: PMC10901578 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5528250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, and with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. A number of surrogate markers are used in clinical practice to diagnose IR. The aim of this study was to investigate the discriminatory power of a number of routinely available anthropometric and biochemical variables in predicting IR and to determine their optimal cutoffs. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of middle-aged individuals. We used receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analyses in order to determine the discriminatory power of parameters of interest in detecting IR, which was defined as homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance ≥2.5. Results Both the lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) exhibited good discriminatory power to detect IR in both males and females. The optimal cutoffs were 42.5 and 1.44, respectively, in males and 36.2 and 1.41, respectively, in females. Serum triglycerides (TG) and waist circumference (WC) similarly demonstrated good discriminatory power in detecting IR in both sexes. The optimal cutoffs for serum TG and WC were 1.35 mmol/L and 96.5 cm, respectively, in men and 1.33 mmol/L and 82 cm, respectively, in women. On the other hand, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, liver transaminases, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum uric acid, ferritin, waist-hip ratio, "A" body shape, thigh circumference, and weight-adjusted thigh circumference all had poor discriminatory power. Conclusions Our data show that LAP, VAI, TG, and WC all have good discriminatory power in detecting IR in both men and women. The optimal cutoffs for TG and WC were lower than those currently recommended in both sexes. Replication studies are required in different subpopulations and different ethnicities in order to be able to update the current cut points to ones which reflect the contemporary population as well as to evaluate their longitudinal relationship with longer-term cardiometabolic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Agius
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
- Mater Dei Hospital, Triq Dun Karm, Msida MSD2090, Malta
| | - Nikolai Paul Pace
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephen Fava
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
- Mater Dei Hospital, Triq Dun Karm, Msida MSD2090, Malta
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Agius R, Pace NP, Fava S. Phenotyping obesity: A focus on metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy normal weight. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2024; 40:e3725. [PMID: 37792999 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 4 decades, research has shown that having a normal body weight does not automatically imply preserved metabolic health and a considerable number of lean individuals harbour metabolic abnormalities typically associated with obesity. Conversely, excess adiposity does not always equate with an abnormal metabolic profile. In fact, evidence exists for the presence of a metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUHNW) and a metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype. It has become increasingly recognised that different fat depots exert different effects on the metabolic profile of each individual by virtue of their location, structure and function, giving rise to these different body composition phenotypes. Furthermore, other factors have been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of the body composition phenotypes, including genetics, ethnicity, age and lifestyle/behavioural factors. Even though to date both MHO and MUHNW have been widely investigated and documented in the literature, studies report different outcomes on long-term cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. Future large-scale, observational and population-based studies are required for better profiling of these phenotypes as well as to further elucidate the pathophysiological role of the adipocyte in the onset of metabolic disorders to allow for better risk stratification and a personalised treatment paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Agius
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Stephen Fava
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
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Xuereb S, Magri CJ, Xuereb RA, Xuereb RG, Galea J, Fava S. Predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria in middle-aged women: a cross-sectional study. Minerva Med 2023; 114:601-607. [PMID: 35671000 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.22.07579-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is of increasing concern in women. The aim was to assess the role of clinical and anthropometric measures in the development of subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS A cross-sectional study in 203 Europid females to determine the prevalence of abnormal carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and associated clinical parameters. RESULTS The study population had a mean age of the 38.3±5.4 years, a median Body Mass Index of 29.25 (IQR 25.06-36.11) kg/m2 and median waist index (WI) of 1.15 (IQR 1.06-1.34). Increased CIMT was present in 169 (83.25%) participants. Linear regression analysis revealed WI to be the sole predictor of increased CIMT (β=24.387, P<0.001). Post-hoc ROC analysis revealed a WI of 1.12 has 62% sensitivity and 53% specificity for predicting increased CIMT (AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.55-0.72, P=0.016). The median urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was 4.4 mg/g, and the prevalence of microalbuminuria was 8.9%; serum triglycerides were the only independent predictor of ACR. CONCLUSIONS Atherosclerosis, as detected by abnormal CIMT, is very prevalent in middle-aged women. Waist index is the major predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in a contemporary premenopausal female population. A WI of 1.12 exhibits relatively good sensitivity and specificity in predicting the presence of atherosclerosis in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline J Magri
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- Medical School, Mater Dei Hospital, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rachel A Xuereb
- Medical School, Mater Dei Hospital, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Robert G Xuereb
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- Medical School, Mater Dei Hospital, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Joseph Galea
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- Medical School, Mater Dei Hospital, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephen Fava
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta -
- Medical School, Mater Dei Hospital, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
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Mintoff D, Agius R, Fava S, Pace NP. Investigating Adiposity-Related Metabolic Health Phenotypes in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4847. [PMID: 37510962 PMCID: PMC10381271 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are related through meta-inflammation and are both associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. Notwithstanding, cardiometabolic pathology is not uniform in obesity and a subset of individuals with excess adiposity exhibit a healthy metabolic profile. Whilst the incidence of cardiometabolic endpoints and transitions across different adiposity-related body composition phenotypes within several populations and across different ethnicities have been investigated, data regarding metabolic health (MetH) and body composition phenotypes in individuals with HS are lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different body composition phenotypes in individuals with HS. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 632 individuals with and without HS from a population with a high prevalence of both obesity and HS. A total of four body composition phenotypes were generated based on BMI and metabolic status (defined using either the metabolic syndrome definition or the homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)): metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHOWOB), metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUOWOB), metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), and metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW). RESULTS Generally, subjects with HS exhibited a worse metabolic profile with higher levels of indices of central adiposity measures (including Visceral Adiposity Index and waist circumference), systolic blood pressure and markers of insulin resistance, as well as a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, when sub-stratified into the different body composition phenotypes, individuals with HS typically also demonstrated adverse metabolic characteristics relative to controls matched for both adiposity and metabolic health, particularly in the normal weight category and despite being classified as metabolically healthy. Being metabolically unhealthy in addition to being overweight/obese increases an individual's risk of HS. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic risk-assessment should be prioritized in the clinical management of individuals with HS even in those who are lean. Patients attending HS clinics provide a valuable opportunity for targeted cardiovascular risk reduction with respect to the management of both obesity and metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon Mintoff
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
- Department of Dermatology, Mater Dei Hospital, MSD2090 Msida, Malta
| | - Rachel Agius
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
- Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, MSD2090 Msida, Malta
| | - Stephen Fava
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
- Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, MSD2090 Msida, Malta
| | - Nikolai P Pace
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
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Agius R, Fava MC, Pace NP, Fava S. Prevalence rates of metabolic health and body size phenotypes by different criteria and association with insulin resistance in a Maltese Caucasian population. BMC Endocr Disord 2022; 22:160. [PMID: 35706017 PMCID: PMC9199253 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01071-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are known to be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A metabolically unhealthy phenotype is frequently used as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance. The aims of the current study were to compare the prevalence of the body size phenotypes using different definitions of metabolic health and to investigate which one of them is most strongly associated with insulin resistance in men and women. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study in a middle-aged cohort of Maltese Caucasian non-institutionalized population. Metabolic health was defined using the various currently used definitions. RESULTS There were significant differences in the prevalence of body size phenotypes according to the different definitions. We also found significant sex differences in the predictive value of the various definitions of the metabolically unhealthy phenotype to predict insulin resistance. The strongest association was for the definition of having >2 NCEP-ATPIII criteria to characterize the metabolic unhealthy phenotype in women (odds ratio of 19.7). On the other hand, the Aguilar-Salinas et al. definition had the strongest association in men (odds ratio of 18.7). CONCLUSIONS We found large differences in the prevalence of the various body size phenotypes when using different definitions, highlighting the need for having standard criteria. Our data also suggest the need for sex-specific definitions of metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Agius
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta Medical School, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
- Mater Dei Hospital, Triq Dun Karm, Msida, MSD2090, Malta
| | | | - Nikolai Paul Pace
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta Medical School, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
| | - Stephen Fava
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta Medical School, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta.
- Mater Dei Hospital, Triq Dun Karm, Msida, MSD2090, Malta.
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Agius R, Pace NP, Fava S. Reduced leukocyte mitochondrial copy number in metabolic syndrome and metabolically healthy obesity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:886957. [PMID: 35957819 PMCID: PMC9357898 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.886957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the associations between peripheral blood leukocyte mitochondrial copy number, metabolic syndrome, and adiposity-related body composition phenotypes in a high prevalence population. METHODS A single center cross-sectional study was conducted, consisting of 521 middle-aged subjects of Maltese-Caucasian ethnicity. Participants were stratified according to the presence of metabolic syndrome and different metabolic health definitions based on NCEP-ATP III criteria. Relative leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and corrected for leukocyte and platelet count. The associations between mitochondrial copy number and metabolic syndrome components was evaluated and adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS Significant negative correlations between mtDNA copy number and BMI, waist circumference, triglyceride levels, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR and hsCRP were observed, along with a positive correlation with HDL-C levels. Mitochondrial copy number was lower in individuals with metabolic syndrome. When compared to metabolically healthy normal weight subjects, a reduction in mtDNA copy number was observed in both the metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese categories. CONCLUSION Our data supports the association between reduced leukocyte mtDNA copy number, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. This investigation expands on the spectrum of associations between mtDNA copy number and metabolic phenotypes in different populations and underpins the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the development and progression of metabolic syndrome and its components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Agius
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Nikolai Paul Pace
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- *Correspondence: Nikolai Paul Pace,
| | - Stephen Fava
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
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