Abstract
Fatty liver index (FLI) is a simple and useful index that evaluates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), particularly in large epidemiologic studies. Heart failure (HF) is becoming a burden to public health as the global trend toward an aging society continues. Thus, we investigated the effect of FLI on the incidence of HF using large cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance health database. Methods and Results: A total of 7,958,538 subjects aged over 19 years without baseline HF (men = 4,142,264 and women = 3,816,274) were included. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were evaluated. FLI scores were calculated and FLI ≥ 60 was considered as having NAFLD. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for HF incidence were analysed using multivariable time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models. During a mean follow up of 8.26 years, 17,104 participants developed HF. The FLI components associated with the incidence of HF and FLI showed a causal relationship with HF; the FLI ≥ 60 group had a higher HR for HF (HR 1.493; 95% CIs 1.41–1.581) than the FLI < 30 group. Subgroup analysis showed that fatty liver (FLI ≥ 60) with age ≥ 65 years or women displayed higher HR for HF than fatty liver with age < 65 or men, respectively. An increase in FLI score significantly increased the HR for HF except for those with a FLI score change from <30 to 30–60. Conclusion: NAFLD defined by FLI and increase in FLI score were associated with the incidence of HF. Further detailed prospective studies are needed.
Highlights
The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is about 1% to 2% in developed countries and increases to more than 10% in individuals over 85 years of age [1]
Patient data that includes age, sex, area of residence, insurer payment coverage, and claims and deductions data sources can be obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) service after permission
The year 2009 was selected because waist circumference measurements, a requisite for Fatty liver index (FLI) calculation, was available starting from 2009
Summary
The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is about 1% to 2% in developed countries and increases to more than 10% in individuals over 85 years of age [1]. Known risk factors for HF include hypertension (HTN), left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, dyslipidaemia, albuminuria, smoking, low physical activity, glucose intolerance, and obesity [4–6]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have