ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Excess body fat is linked to higher risks for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular disease (CV), among other health conditions. However, it is not only the level but also the distribution of body fat that contributes to increased disease risks. For example, an increased level of abdominal fat, or visceral adipose tissue (VAT), is associated with a higher risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: A review of the most relevant primary and secondary sources on body composition from the last 25 years was conducted. Relevant articles were identified using PUBMED and Google Scholar. Narrative synthesis was performed as statistical pooling was not possible due to the heterogeneous nature of the studies. RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used as a proxy measure of body fatness. However, BMI does not reflect the level and distribution of body fat. Other anthropometric methods such as waist circumference measurement and waist-hip ratio, as well as methodologies like hydro densitometry, bioelectrical impedance, and isotope dilution are also limited in their ability to determine body fat distribution. Imaging techniques to define body composition have greatly improved performance over traditional approaches. Ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are now commonly used in clinical research. Of these, MRI can provide the most accurate and high-resolution measure of body composition. In addition, MRI techniques are considered the best for the determination of fat at the organ level. On the other hand, imaging modalities require specialized, often expensive equipment and expert operation. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric methods are suitable for rapid, high-volume screening of subjects but do not provide information on body fat distribution. Imaging techniques are more accurate but are expensive and do not lend themselves for high throughput. Therefore, successful trial strategies require a tiered approach in which subjects are first screened using anthropometric methods followed by more sophisticated modalities during the execution of the trial. This article provides a brief description of the most clinically relevant adipose tissue measurement techniques and discusses their value in obesity, diabetes, and NAFLD/NASH clinical research.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Adipose Tissue/diagnostic imaging , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis , Humans , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnosis , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/etiology , Obesity , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
Resumo: Introdução: A sexualidade é um ponto central da vida do ser humano que contempla sexo biológico, orientação sexual e reprodução, além de conceitos complexos como a identidade de gênero, onde a maior parte das dúvidas afloram e - com elas - preconceitos e negligências. Objetivo: Analisar o conhecimento dos acadêmicos de Medicina de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior sobre identidade de gênero. Método: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal e quantitativo, realizado de abril a maio de 2018 com a aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado a 122 alunos do curso de Medicina, cujas respostas foram entregues em envelopes lacrados e sem identificação. Resultados: Dos participantes, 67,21% e 63,11% desconheciam o conceito de mulher transgênero heterossexual e de homem transgênero homossexual, respectivamente; 67,21% e 61,47% apresentaram respostas inadequadas quanto ao exame ginecológico em pacientes trans e quanto ao processo transexualizador, nessa ordem. Conclusão: A maioria dos estudantes desconheceu conceitos relacionados à identidade de gênero. Considerando-se os limites desta pesquisa, sugere-se uma maior abordagem do tema na graduação.
Abstract: Introduction: Sexuality is a central aspect of a human being's life that consists of biological sex, sexual orientation and reproduction, in addition to complex concepts such as gender identity, where most doubts arise and, with them, prejudices and oversights. Objective: To analyze the knowledge of medical students in a college about gender identity. Method: This is a descriptive, transversal and quantitative study, carried out from April to May 2018, with the application of a semi-structured questionnaire to 122 medical students, whose answers were delivered in anonymous sealed envelopes. Results: Of the participants, 67.21% and 63.11% were unaware of the concept of heterosexual transgender woman and homosexual transgender man, respectively; 67.21% and 61.47% presented inadequate responses regarding the gynecological examination in trans patients and the transsexual process, respectively. Conclusion: Most students were unaware of concepts related to gender identity. Considering the limits of this research, greater attention to this theme throughout undergraduate training is suggested.
