Hepatic steatosis indices as predictors of vitamin D3 deficiency in patients with NAFLD associated with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background. Recently, vitamin D3 deficiency is considered one of the factors associated with the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim was to evaluate steatosis indices and metabolic parameters in NAFLD depending on vitamin D3 status. Methods. According to the recommendations of the European Society of Endocrinology, all patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 — with an optimal level of vitamin D3 (30 ng/mL); group 2 — vitamin D3 insufficiency (21–29 ng/mL) and group 3 — vitamin D3 deficiency (< 20 ng/mL). Results. The study included 126 T2D patients with NAFLD diagnosed with ultrasound. The highest hepatic steatosis (HSI) and fatty liver (FLI) index values were diagnosed in vitamin D3 deficiency as compared to optimal group (HSI — 43.34 ± 6.59 vs. 39.67 ± 4.37; P = 0.032 and FLI — 79.21 ± 19.61 vs. 64.96 ± 17.72; P = 0.007). Triglyceride and glucose index (TyG) also were insignificantly elevated parallel to vitamin D3 status worsened (P = 0.175). In multivariate logistic regression analysis all steatosis indices were independent from transaminases activity, body mass index (BMI) and T2D duration associated with vitamin D3 deficiency. Conclusions. Hepatic steatosis indices (HSI, FLI and TyG) independently from anthropometric parameters and transaminase activity associated with D3 deficiency in NAFLD patients