Quantitative analysis of the structure of the portal vein of the liver and splenic vein in people with different somatotypes in portal hypertension

Abstract

BACKGROUND: HeathCarter somatotyping using bioimpedance analysis is one of the most common methods of somatotyping because of its non-invasiveness, portability, comparative reliability of the data, and ease of use. Knowledge of the relationship between portal hypertension and somatotype may lead to the development of effective approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this disease. AIM: To examine the frequency of various somatotypes in people with portal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 46 patients with cirrhosis of the liver who were treated at the University Clinical Hospital N 2 Sechenov University. The calculation of endo- (ENDO) and mesomorphy (MESO) scores, assessment of the somatotype by HeathCarter, and data visualization on the somatogram were carried out using the ABC-01 MEDASS software (STC MEDASS, Russia). Portal hypertension was diagnosed by ultrasonography of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space. RESULTS: The diameter of the splenic vein was 7 mm in 17/18 men and 23/28 women. The diameter of the portal vein was 13 mm in 8/18 men and 12/28 women. The mesoendomorphic somatotype was the most common among women and endomesomorphic among men. More than half (n=9; 52.9%) of men had splenic vein diameter large than normal and the endomesomorphic somatotype, whereas the predominant part of women (n=18; 78.3%) had the mesoendomorphic somatotype. Similar results were obtained in patients with portal vein diameter larger than normal, and the endomesomorphic somatotype prevailed among men (n=5; 62.5%) and mesoendomorphic among women (n=10; 83.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of portal hypertension in patients with different somatotypes varied. It was higher in patients with a pronounced endomorphic component than in those with other somatotypes. In general, our results underline the complexity of the association of portal hypertension with somatotypes and indicate the need for a deeper analysis of this problem and further research. Future studies should include larger numbers of both healthy individuals and patients with chronic liver disease, different age groups, and a broader set of parameters for analysis. Understanding the relationship between portal hypertension and somatotypes can help develop more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of this syndrome.