Hyperuricemia as an independent risk factor for MAFLD in nonobese patients without T2DM.

Abstract

Objective According to the latest consensus statement, fatty liver complicated by specific metabolic abnormalities can be diagnosed as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in nonobese patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, hyperuricemia (HUA), a manifestation of metabolic disorders, is excluded from diagnostic criteria. This study explored the association between HUA and MAFLD in nonobese patients without T2DM. Methods A total of 28187 participants were recruited from the Examination Center of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from 2018 to 2022 and divided into 4 subgroups: nonobese patients without T2DM, obese patients without T2DM, nonobese patients with T2DM, and obese patients with T2DM. MAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound combined with laboratory examinations. The association of HUA with MAFLD subgroups was performed by logistical regression analysis. The predictive ability of UA for MAFLD subgroups was assessed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Results HUA was positively associated with MAFLD in nonobese patients without T2DM in both males and females, even after adjusting for sex, BMI, dyslipidemia, and abnormal liver function. The association increased gradually with aging, especially in those over 40 years old. Conclusions HUA was an independent risk factor for MAFLD in nonobese patients without T2DM. We suggest that UA abnormalities might be considered in the diagnosis of MAFLD.in nonobese patients without T2DM.