A clinical study of the association between hepatic controlled attenuation parameter and metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between hepatic controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the correlation of CAP and its changes with the incidence of MetS. Methods: A total of 2461 subjects who underwent physical examination from July 2013 to September 2015 were enrolled. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of CAP with the number of MetS components and each MetS component, and the chi-square test was used to investigate the prevalence rates of MetS and each component under different CAP levels. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of MetS under different CAP levels. A total of 230 subjects without baseline MetS were selected; in a prospective cohort study, these subjects were divided into groups according to the baseline CAP, change in CAP, and percent change in CAP, and the chi-square test was performed to compare the incidence of MetS. The Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the values of baseline CAP, change in CAP, and percent change in CAP in predicting MetS. Results: CAP was positively correlated with the number of MetS components (r = 0.309, P < 0.01) and significantly correlated with all components. There were significant differences in the prevalence rates of MetS and its components under different CAP levels (< 238 dB/m, 238-258 dB/m, 259-291 dB/m, and ≥292 dB/m) (P < 0.05). After the adjustment for sex and age, with < 238 dB/m as a reference, the odds ratios (95% CI) of MetS in patients with CAP levels of 238-258 dB/m, 259-291 dB/m, and ≥292 dB/m were 1.784 (1.369-2.325), 2.936 (2.292-3.760), and 4.363 (3.435-5.543), respectively (all P < 0.05). Follow-up data showed that 28 patients (12.2%) developed MetS. After the adjustment for related factors, the hazard ratios (95% CI) of MetS in patients with baseline CAP > 238 dB/m, change in CAP > 30 dB/m, and percent change in CAP > 25.0% were 3.337 (1.163-9.569), 7.732 (2.453-24.366), and 11.656 (3.329-40.813), respectively (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: CAP is closely associated with MetS and its components. CAP and its change can be used to predict the risk of MetS.