Nonlinear correlation between fatty liver index and carotid intima media thickness among individuals undergoing health examination

Background: Fatty liver index (FLI) is a predictor of non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to assess the association between FLI and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 277 individuals for health examination from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. Blood sampling and ultrasound examinations were conducted. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were performed to evaluate the association between FLI and CIMT.

Results: Overall, 175 (63.2%) and 105 (37.9%) individuals had NAFLD and CIMT, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analyses results showed that high FLI was independently associated with a high risk of increased CIMT, T2 vs. T1 (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]): 2.41, 1.10–5.25, p = 0.027; T3 vs. T1 (OR, 95% CI): 1.58, 0.68–3.64, p = 0.285. The association between FLI and increased CIMT exhibited a J-shaped curve (nonlinear, p = 0.019). In the threshold analysis, the OR for developing increased CIMT was 1.031 (95% CI: 1.011–1.051, p = 0.0023) in participants with FLI < 64.247.

Conclusion: The relationship between FLI and increased CIMT in the health examination population is J-shaped, with an inflection point of 64.247.