Utility of different indices in screening Chinese postmenopausal women for hepatic steatosis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the potential of fatty liver index (FLI) and several obesity indices and to explore which index is best for predicting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Chinese postmenopausal women. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 680 Chinese postmenopausal women. NAFLD was defined as a hepatic steatosis observed on liver ultrasonography in the absence of a second cause. Odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) between hepatic steatosis and FLI as well as different obesity indices were evaluated by Binary Logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to compare the ability of predicting hepatic steatosis between FLI and obesity indices. RESULTS: The upper values of all indices were significantly associated with the presence of hepatic steatosis (all p<0.01) after the adjustment for potential confounders. The largest AUC [0.85 (0.82-0.88), 95% CI, p<0.01] was observed for FLI, followed by the frequently used obesity indices. CONCLUSIONS: FLI is closely associated with the presence of hepatic steatosis in Chinese postmenopausal women. Compared to the obesity indices frequently used, FLI is a better surrogate marker for predicting the presence of hepatic steatosis in Chinese postmenopausal women.