An Anthropological Characteristic of the Distribution of Adipose Connective Tissue in Bulgarian Males with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: The complex study of adipose connective tissue in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is of importance to the clinical course and prognosis of the disease.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of adipose connective tissue in Bulgarian males with T2DM.

Patients and Methods: Subjects of the research were 73 men suffering from T2DM, with age range 40-60 years. The control group included 40 Bulgarian healthy men in the same age range. Directly measured parameters: body height, body weight, 9 skinfolds (sf) and Bioelectrical Impedance analysis. Calculated indexes: Body mass index (BMI), the ratio sfTrunk/sfLimbs, the ratio skinfolds upper half of body/skinfolds lower half of body, fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the means of body weight, sfXrib, sfThigh, BMI, % body fat tissue, visceral fat tissue and fat mass between the diabetic and healthy men. The body composition of diabetic males aged 40-60 years contained a significant larger adipose component than the controls. The visceral adipose tissue which determines the body composition is a reliable indicator of the health risks in diabetic men.

Conclusion: In diabetic males aged 40-60 years the model of subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution was predominant in the upper torso region and less in the limbs. The common fat tissue and visceral adipose tissue in male patients suffering from T2DM were significantly more expressed than the healthy controls. These data revealed worse anthropological status of the body composition in male patients with T2DM.