Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, which is usually associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T(2)DM) and obesity. However, the incidence of MALFD in non-obese individuals without T(2)DM is increasing, and the pathogenesis is unclear. Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio (sUA/Cr) can reflect overall metabolic status. This study aims to observe the association between sUA/Cr and MAFLD in non-obese individuals without T(2)DM. METHODS: A total of 21,996 individuals were included in this study. The subjects were divided into four subgroups: non-obese patients without T(2)DM, obese patients without T(2)DM, non-obese patients with T(2)DM, and obese patients with T(2)DM. Logistic regression analyzed the correlation between sUA/Cr and MAFLD subgroups. Receiver operating characteristics analyzed the predictive value of sUA/Cr for MAFLD subgroups. The stratified analyses by sex and age were performed. RESULTS: Non-obese MAFLD individuals without T(2)DM had higher sUA/Cr levels than their counterparts. sUA/Cr was significantly correlated positively with MAFLD in non-obese patients. Similar results were observed in both males and females and in populations at all age stages (all p<0.01). sUA/Cr was capable of discriminating MAFLD in non-obese individuals without T(2)DM (AUC: 0.667), especially for patients over 60 years old (AUC: 0.704). CONCLUSION: The sUA/Cr ratio was correlated with MAFLD in non-obese patients without T(2)DM. The predictive value of sUA/Cr for MAFLD was observed. Hence, the sUA/Cr ratio might be given more concern for the risk of MAFLD in non-obese individuals without T(2)DM.