Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Gallstones, influenced by obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, are a common digestive disorder. The ability of the hepatic steatosis index to predict gallstone risk remains underexplored. METHODS: This study investigated the link between the hepatic steatosis index and the risk of gallstones using the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. In total, 7244 participants, including 759 with gallstones, were analyzed. Generalized linear models were used to assess the correlation between the hepatic steatosis index and gallstone risk, after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: A significant positive association was observed between the hepatic steatosis index and gallstone risk, with odds ratios ranging from 1.05 to 1.06 for each unit increase in the hepatic steatosis index. Higher hepatic steatosis index quartiles indicated increased risk, particularly in women and those aged <60 years. Restricted cubic splines analysis suggested a nonlinear relationship, with threshold analysis revealing specific inflection points. CONCLUSION: The hepatic steatosis index is a significant predictor of gallstone risk, especially in women and younger populations. These findings highlight the role of the hepatic steatosis index in predicting gallstone risk. Further research into the pathophysiology of gallstone formation is needed for establishing better prevention and treatment strategies.