Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging epidemic worldwide and is regarded as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Only a few studies have discussed the biological features associated with quantitative assessment of ultrasound for characterizing NAFLD. Our aim was to delineate relevant metabolic characteristics using a new quantitative tool, the ultrasound quantitative diagnostic index (QDI). A total of 394 ultrasound data were analyzed to extract texture-feature parameters, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the slope of the center frequency downshift (CFDS) for determining the QDI. The texture index, SNR, and CFDS slope were all negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein and positively correlated with other anthropometric indices and metabolic factors (all P < 0.05). The SNR had the greatest contribution to anthropometric and biochemical factors, followed by the texture index and CFDS slope. An increase in 1 unit of QDI score engendered a 9% higher risk of MetS, reflecting that the tool is feasible for use in identifying MetS (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.89). The QDI was correlated with metabolic factors and an independent predictor for MetS. Thus, this QDI might be a feasible method for use in clinical surveillance, epidemiology research, and metabolic function evaluations in patients with NAFLD.
Highlights
Quantitative assessments of ultrasound findings have been investigated with the aim of producing an objective method for diagnosing Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
The observed Body mass index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fat percentage (FATPER), VFR, Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TCHO), TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and ALT increased with the linear discriminant analysis (LDA)-texture, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and center frequency downshift (CFDS) slope, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased
The risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was 1.09 (OR:1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.13) times greater in individuals with high quantitative diagnostic index (QDI) values than it was in those with low QDI values after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing, exercise time per week, menopause, and HOMA-IR
Summary
Quantitative assessments of ultrasound findings have been investigated with the aim of producing an objective method for diagnosing NAFLD. Within the extensive literature on quantitative ultrasound diagnosis of NAFLD, little research has focused on the relationships between metabolic factors, liver function tests, and quantitative ultrasound parameters. We developed a new ultrasound quantitative diagnostic index (QDI) for detecting small changes in the characteristics of liver fat and enhancing the means of grading NAFLD severity[21]. Because NAFLD and MetS exhibit common interactions and pathogenic mechanisms[22,23], the current study was conducted to explore the correlations between the parameters of QDI and metabolic findings (Fig. 1).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
