Abstract
BackgroundA series of evidence revealed that body mass index was an important confounding factor in the research of uric acid and ischemic heart disease/hypertension. The objective of this study was to investigate whether obesity status can modify the association between serum uric acid and the severity of liver damage in NAFLD, and the possible interactive effect of hyperuricemia and obesity.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in a total of 557 ultrasound diagnosed-NAFLD. The hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis were quantitatively evaluated by transient elastography. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid > 420 μmol/L in men, > 360 μmol/L in women and obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. The adjusted OR values of hyperuricemia and obesity were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the additive model was used to investigate the possible interactive effect.ResultsMultivariate regression analysis showed that hyperuricemia was associated with serious hepatic steatosis (1.74[1.09–2.79]) and elevated ALT (2.17[1.38–3.41]), but not with advanced fibrosis (1.61[0.91–2.85]). The association was further investigated in different BMI group. Hyperuricemia was associated with higher odds of serious hepatic steatosis (2.02[1.14–3.57]) and elevated ALT (2.27[1.37–3.76]) only in obese NAFLD, not in non-obese subjects. Similarly, patients with hyperuricemia had higher odds of advanced fibrosis in obese subjects (2.17[1.13–4.18]), not in non-obese subjects (0.60[0.14–2.70]). Furthermore, there was an additive interaction between hyperuricemia and obesity on the odds of serious hepatic steatosis (AP: 0.39[0.01–0.77]) and advanced fibrosis. (AP: 0.60[0.26–0.95]).ConclusionsHyperuricemia and obesity had a significantly synergistic effect on the hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Thus, management of uric acid may need to be targeted in obese NAFLD.
Highlights
A series of evidence revealed that body mass index was an important confounding factor in the research of uric acid and ischemic heart disease/hypertension
Continuous variables were shows as mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables were summarized with frequencies and percentages BMI body mass index, TG triglyceride, HDL-C high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, FPG fasting plasma glucose, CAP controlled attenuation parameter, ALT alanine transaminase, LSM liver stiffness measurement *P < 0.05 after t-test or chi-square analysis elevated fasting glucose and hypertriglyceridemia with an incidence of 64.1%, 61.4% and 61.2%, and the lowest was 46.7% in elevated blood pressure
Hyperuricemia was associated with higher odds of serious hepatic steatosis, elevated ALT and advanced fibrosis in obese Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whereas the significance was lost in non-obese individuals
Summary
A series of evidence revealed that body mass index was an important confounding factor in the research of uric acid and ischemic heart disease/hypertension. The objective of this study was to investigate whether obesity status can modify the association between serum uric acid and the severity of liver damage in NAFLD, and the possible interactive effect of hyperuricemia and obesity. Previous studies have revealed an independent link between hyperuricemia and the severity of liver damage in NAFLD. A biopsy-based study has demonstrated that hyperuricemia is associated with the severity of steatosis, lobular inflammation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS) [5]. Some previous studies have found a negative correlation between serum uric acid levels (SUA)and fibrosis stage [8, 9]. Whereas a meta-analysis has revealed that hyperuricemia is not associated with fibrosis in patients with NAFLD [10].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
