Correlation of FLI fatty liver index with insulin resistance indices in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome includes insulin resistance, visceral obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia, which together lead to an increased risk of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is considered a pathophysiological mechanism underlying metabolic syndrome, characterized by inadequate glucose metabolism, hyperinsulinemia and lipid imbalance. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a chronic disease characterized by microvesicular steatosis and isn't a consequence of the use of drugs, alcohol, or inherited diseases and is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Aim: Since insulin resistance is pathophysiologically related to metabolic liver diseases, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of the FLI index with insulin resistance indices HOMA and QUICKI, but also a comparison of the insulin resistance index HOMA, Quicki and Tyg and the FLI index of fatty liver in the complete sample and in the groups of overweight and obese patients with characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: The study included 70 patients who met the criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and who were selected by reviewing the medical documentation. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A were overweight patients (BMI 25 - 29.9 kg/m2). Group B were obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m2). Insulin resistance index values were compared between groups and then correlated by statistical analysis with FLI index within groups and in a complete sample. Results: Statistical analysis found a correlation between the FLI index and the insulin resistance index HOMA (p = 0.03) in a complete sample. A statistically significant difference in the values of the FLI index between the examined groups was proved (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The positive correlation between the FLI index with the HOMA index speaks in favor of the interrelationship between insulin resistance and fatty liver in patients with metabolic syndrome. In this case, insulin resistance can be a predictor for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatosis, steatohepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma and cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• insulin resistance
• fli index