The A Body Shape index (ABSI) is a validated measure of visceral adiposity that is calculated based on waist circumference, height and BMI. Its power to predict major cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear and is addressed in the present study.

We prospectively recorded cardiovascular events in a large cohort of 1544 patients with established CVD (1297 patients with angiographically proven stable coronary artery disease and 247 patients with sonographically verified PAD) over a mean follow-up time of 10.0±4.6 years.

At baseline, the ABSI was higher in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM; n=502) than in those who did not have diabetes (8.4±0.6 vs. 8.3±0.6; p<0.001) . Prospectively, the ABSI significantly predicted the incidence of MACE (n=507) after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and T2DM (standardized adjusted HRs 1.14 [1.04-1.24]; p=0.004, respectively) . T2DM in turn in this model also significantly predicted MACE with a HR of 1.61 [1.33-1.94]; p<0.0after adjustment for ABSI.

We conclude that ABSI and T2DM are mutually independent risk factors for MACE in patients with established cardiovascular disease.

Disclosure

L.Sprenger: None. M.Maechler: None. A.Vonbank: None. B.Larcher: None. A.Mader: None. A.Leiherer: None. A.Muendlein: None. H.Drexel: None. C.H.Saely: None.

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