Fatty Liver Index Independently Predicts All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis but No Substantial Liver Disease

BackgroundThis study investigated whether the fatty liver index (FLI) could predict all-cause mortality and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) during follow-up in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) without substantial liver disease. MethodsThe medical records of 75 AAV patients with AAV were retrospectively reviewed. An equation for the FLI is as follows: FLI = (e(0.953xloge(triglycerides)+0.139xBMI+0.718xloge(GGT)+0.053xwaistcircumference-15.745))/(1 + e(0.953xloge(triglycerides)+0.139xBMI+0.718xloge(GGT)+0.053xwaistcircumference-15.745)) x 100. The cut-offs of the FLI were obtained using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. ResultsThe mean age at AAV diagnosis was 59.1 years and 42.7% were male. Eight patients (10.7%) died and 8 patients had CVA during follow-up. When the cut-offs of the FLI for all-cause mortality and CVA were set as the FLI >= 33.59 and the FLI >= 32.31, AAV patients with the FLI over each cut-off exhibited a higher risk for all-cause mortality or CVA than those without (RR 8.633 and 8.129), respectively. In addition, AAV patients with the FLI over each cut-off exhibited a significantly lower cumulative patients' survival rate or CVA-free survival rate than those without, respectively. In the multivariable Cox analysis, only the FLI >= 33.59 at AAV diagnosis was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality during follow-up in AAV patients (HR 10.448). ConclusionThe FLI at AAV diagnosis can be a potential independent predictor of all-cause mortality and CVA during follow-up in AAV patients. We suggest that physicians measure the FLI at AAV diagnosis and pay more attention to those with a high FLI value for prevention of future mortality and CVA.

Automated summary

This study found that the FLI at AAV diagnosis can serve as a potential independent predictor of all-cause mortality and CVA during follow-up in AAV patients. Physicians are recommended to measure the FLI at AAV diagnosis and pay more attention to patients with a high FLI value for the prevention of future mortality and CVA.