Association of choroidal structure and body mass index in an adult population

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the relation of choroidal structural parameters and body mass index (BMI) in an adult population. Methods: About 144 eyes of 144 healthy individuals were incorporated. There were four groups according to BMI values: Group 1 (⩽18.5), group 2 (18.6–24.9), group 3 (25.0–29.9), and group 4 (30.0–34.9). The enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography images were binarized using Image-J software. Choroidal thickness (CT), circumscribed choroidal area (CCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were calculated. Results: Mean subfoveal, nasal, and temporal CT were lower in group 4 rather than group 1 ( p = 0.032, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Mean nasal and temporal CT also showed a decrease in group 4 as compared to group 2 ( p = 0.04 and p = 0.039). Mean CCA and LA were decreased in group 4 in comparison to group 3 ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), group 2 ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), and group 1 ( p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). Mean SA showed a decrease only in group 3 rather than group 2 ( p = 0.021) and group 1 ( p = 0.008). Mean CVI was decreased in group 3 and group 4 in comparison to group 1 ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) and group 2 ( p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). Conclusion: Increased BMI percentile was associated with a decrease in CT and structural parameters.