Validation of fatty liver index as a predictor of hepatic steatosis in Asian populations: Impact of alcohol consumption and sex
Corresponding Author
Takako Nomura
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Correspondence
Takako Nomura, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, 788-1 Kamibun-Cho, Shikokutyuou, Ehime 799-0121, Japan.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMasafumi Ono
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Division of Innovative Medicine for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKiyoyuki Kobayashi
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Division of Innovative Medicine for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYuzuru Akaiwa
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorMaki Ayaki
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTomohiro Ogi
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorMaki Ogi
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHirokazu Takahashi
Liver Center, Saga University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKayo Ishikawa
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAsahiro Morishita
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHideki Kobara
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTsutomu Masaki
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Takako Nomura
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Correspondence
Takako Nomura, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, 788-1 Kamibun-Cho, Shikokutyuou, Ehime 799-0121, Japan.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMasafumi Ono
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Division of Innovative Medicine for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKiyoyuki Kobayashi
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Division of Innovative Medicine for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYuzuru Akaiwa
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorMaki Ayaki
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTomohiro Ogi
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorMaki Ogi
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHirokazu Takahashi
Liver Center, Saga University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKayo Ishikawa
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HITO Medical Center, Shikokutyuou, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAsahiro Morishita
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHideki Kobara
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTsutomu Masaki
Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kita-gun, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Aim
This study was undertaken to investigate the utility of the fatty liver index (FLI) as a noninvasive tool for predicting hepatic steatosis based on alcohol consumption and sex in a large Asian population.
Methods
We carried out a single-center observational cohort study at the HITO Medical Center in Japan and enrolled 1976 Asian subjects. The subjects were categorized into nondrinkers and light drinkers (0–19 g/day) and moderate drinkers (20–59 g/day) based on their self-reported alcohol intake. We used physical examinations, laboratory tests, and a questionnaire to collect information on various factors related to the FLI, including body mass index, waist circumference, and levels of γ-glutamyl transferase and triglycerides.
Results
The diagnostic accuracy of the FLI was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and optimal cut-off values were determined using Youden's index. The FLI had an acceptable performance index of >0.7 both overall and in all subgroups, with an overall AUROC of 0.844. The AUROCs were higher in women and moderate drinkers of both sexes. We also compared the cut-off values obtained in the present study with the previously reported values of 30 and 60. Optimal cut-off values for the FLI were calculated for the total population and subgroups and were found to differ from the previously established values in other countries.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that the FLI is a useful noninvasive marker for predicting hepatic steatosis in a large Asian population, irrespective of alcohol consumption and sex.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors have no conflict of interest.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
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| hepr13935-sup-0001-figure_s1.pptx443.3 KB | Figure S1 |
| hepr13935-sup-0002-figure_s2.pptx463.4 KB | Figure S2 |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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