Ultrasonographic Quantitative Analysis of Fatty Pancreas in Obese Children: Its Correlation with Metabolic Syndrome and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate pancreatic echogenicity on transabdominal ultrasonography and the correlation of fatty pancreas with metabolic syndrome (MetS), as well as insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]).

Study design: This retrospective study included 135 obese children and adolescents who underwent transabdominal ultrasonography from January 2015 to December 2015. Fatty pancreas was quantitatively analyzed using the pancreato-perihepatic fat index (PPHFI). The correlation between the PPHFI and HOMA-IR was analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors that were independently correlated with MetS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the best cut-off value of the PPHFI for diagnosing MetS.

Results: The PPHFI and the HOMA-IR value were significantly higher in subjects with MetS than in those without MetS (P < .0001). The PPHFI also showed an association with the HOMA-IR value (r = 0.70; P <.0001). The PPHFI was an independent factor for diagnosing MetS (OR 4.36; P = .032). The best cut-off value for the PPHFI for a diagnosis of MetS was 2.34 with a sensitivity of 0.96 and specificity 0.70.

Conclusions: These results suggest that an increased PPHFI is significantly correlated with MetS and insulin resistance, and that the PPHFI may be a useful indicator for diagnosing MetS in obese children and adolescents. The impact of the presence of fatty pancreas in obese children and adolescents must be evaluated.

Keywords: fatty pancreas; insulin resistance; obesity.