The associations between cardiometabolic index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Object: To explore the association between cardiometabolic index(CMI) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) detected by Fibroscan in Americans. Methods: : A total of 2054 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 were included in this cross-sectional analysis. The diagnosis of NAFLD was based on the following criteria: controlled attenuation parameter(CAP) value≥274 dB/m indicating liver steatosis and exclusion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and excessive alcohol consumption. The relationship between CMI and NAFLD was assessed using a weighted multivariable logistic regression. Subgroup analyses stratified by gender, race, and BMI were further conducted. Results: : A total of 796 (38.8%) participants were confirmed with NAFLD. CMI was significantly higher in NAFLD group than that in non-NAFLD group (P<0.001). In all the three regression models, CMI were positively associated with the prevalence of NAFLD (model 1: OR=6.76, 95% CI: 5.27 to 8.68; model 2: OR=5.54, 95% CI: 4.30 to 7.14; model 3: OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.65 to 2.76). After stratified by gender, race and BMI, the positive correlations existed steadily in different subgroups. The smooth curve fit showed an inverted U-shaped association between CMI and the prevalence of NAFLD. Conclusion: CMI was positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD in the general American population. Moreover, the positive relationship between CMI and NAFLD existed steadily after stratified by gender, race, and BMI.