Table 3.
Clinical features associated with high SAT radiodensity.
| Characteristics | High SAT radiodensity (n = 203) | Low SAT radiodensity (n = 583) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 54 ± 9 | 57 ± 8 | <0.001 |
| Sex, female | 102 (50) | 160 (27) | <0.001 |
| Age and sex | |||
| Young male | 13 (6) | 23 (4) | 0.17 |
| Old male | 88 (44) | 396 (68) | <0.001 |
| Young female | 21 (55) | 17 (45) | <0.001 |
| Old female | 80 (40) | 143 (25) | <0.001 |
| Cirrhosis aetiology | |||
| Alcohol | 55 (27) | 134 (23) | 0.25 |
| Hepatitis C | 60 (30) | 264 (45) | <0.001 |
| Hepatitis B | 16 (8) | 39 (7) | 0.63 |
| NASH | 43 (21) | 109 (19) | 0.47 |
| ALD | 28 (14) | 34 (6) | <0.001 |
| Albumin (g/L) | 30 ± 7 | 33 ± 6 | <0.001 |
| MELD score | 19 ± 8 | 13 ± 7 | <0.001 |
| Refractory ascites | 71 (35) | 136 (23) | 0.002 |
| Sodium (mmol/L) | 134 ± 6 | 136 ± 6 | <0.001 |
| Encephalopathy | 93 (46) | 192 (33) | 0.001 |
| Variceal bleeding | 39 (19) | 101 (17) | 0.59 |
| HCC | 51 (25) | 287 (49) | <0.001 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 26 ± 7 | 28 ± 5 | |
| SAT cross-sectional area (cm2) | 99 ± 90 | 187 ± 111 | <0.001 |
| SAT index (cm2/m2) | 42 ± 40 | 66 ± 38 | <0.001 |
| SAT radiodensity∗ (HU) | -65 ± 11 | -94 ± 9 | <0.001 |
| Sarcopenia† | 93 (46) | 184 (32) | <0.001 |
Independent t test for continuous variables and Pearson χ2 test for categorical variables were used. HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HU, Hounsfield units; MELD, model for end-stage liver disease; NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; SAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue; SMI, skeletal muscle index.
∗
High SAT radiodensity was defined as SAT radiodensity >-83 HU in females and >-74 HU in males.
†
Sarcopenia was defined using established cut-offs in patients with cirrhosis as SMI <50 cm2/m2 in males and <39 cm2/m2 in females.17