The haemoglobin glycation index is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in healthy subjects

• DOI: 10.1111/cen.14001
• Publication Date: 2019-05-02T14:38:52Z
• Authors: Jee Hee Yoo; Yu Mi Kang; Yun Kyung Cho; Jiwoo Lee; Chang Hee Jung; Joong‐Yeol Park; Ohk‐Hyun Ryu; Hong‐Kyu Kim; Woo Je Lee
• Keywords: Adult; Glycated Hemoglobin; Male; 2. Zero hunger; Asia; Middle Aged; Health Surveys; Lipids; Healthy Volunteers; Body Mass Index; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Logistic Models; 0302 clinical medicine; Asian People; Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Prevalence; Humans; Female; Waist Circumference; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography

AbstractObjectivesThe hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) quantifies interindividual variations in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and is associated with diabetic complications and metabolic diseases. However, information on the association between HGI and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in healthy subjects is limited, particularly in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between HGI and NAFLD in a healthy Korean cohort.DesignSubjects were stratified in quartiles according to their HGI level. NAFLD was diagnosed by hepatic ultrasonography, hepatic steatosis index and fatty liver index. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between HGI quartiles and the risk of NAFLD.PatientsData from subjects without diabetes who underwent liver ultrasonography during routine health examinations were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsData from 14 465 subjects were included in the analysis. The prevalence of NAFLD increased significantly with each HGI quartile (24.8%, 29.7%, 32.6% and 40.6% in quartiles 1‐4, respectively; P < 0.001). In comparison with the lowest HGI quartile group, the highest quartile exhibited worse metabolic parameters, including body weight, waist circumference, body mass index and lipid profiles. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for multiple factors showed that the odds ratio of having NAFLD was 1.564 (95% CI: 1.350‐1.813, P < 0.001) in the highest HGI quartile.ConclusionsElevated HGI levels are independently associated with NAFLD in a healthy Asian population.