Validation of Fatty Liver Index as a Marker for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

ABSTRACT

Background@#Many studies have been conducted to validate fatty liver index (FLI) as a marker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there are insufficient data in Korea to verify the usefulness of FLI, and the results of these studies are contradictory. This study aimed to validate FLI as a marker for NAFLD in Korea. For better accuracy, computed tomography (CT) scan was used instead of ultrasound scan. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 785 subjects who participated in a health examination. The participants were divided according to presence of NAFLD, which was determined by abdominal CT. Frequency analysis was performed on all results. The chi-square test and independent t-test were used to compare the differences between the non-NAFLD group and the NAFLD group in terms of general characteristics and blood tests. The ability of the FLI to detect (nonalcoholic) fatty liver was assessed using area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis. @*Results@#FLI was significantly higher in the NAFLD group (42.48±27.63) than in the non-NAFLD group (22.59±20.05) (P<0.0001). The algorithm for FLI had a better AUROC of 0.696 (95% confidence interval, 0.649-0.742) than any other variable in the prediction of NAFLD. @*Conclusions@#FLI is a marker that can be used as a simple and cost-effective tool to screen for NAFLD.