Role of Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Height and Waist-to-Hip Ratio in Prediction of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the anthropometric indicators that can effectively predict the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods. The height, body weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. M-H chi square test, logistic regression analysis, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve were employed for the analysis of risk factors. Patients or Materials. 490 patients were recruited, of whom 250 were diagnosed as NAFLD and 240 as non-NAFLD (control group). Results. Compared with the control group, the BMI, WHR, and WHtR were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI and WHR were effective prognostic factors of NAFLD. In addition, WHR plays a more important role in prediction of NAFLD by the area under curve. Conclusion. WHR is closely related to the occurrence of NAFLD. We assume that WHR is beneficial for the diagnosis NAFLD.

Body Roundness Index and Waist-to-Height Ratio are Strongly Associated With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Population-Based Study

“…Although Zheng et al reported an even higher discriminatory ability of WHtR than that of our study, they emphasized that the ability of WHtR was less than WHR, which is in disagreement with our results (17). However, the discriminatory ability of BRI was not evaluated in their study.…”

Fatty Liver Index (FLI) in Predicting Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

“…Liver biopsy is considered as the gold standard for diagnosis of NAFLD, but it is an invasive method and may cause some complications (7). Accordingly, non-invasive imaging methods, particularly ultrasound are used to diagnose fatty liver disease in most cases (8).…”

Waist‐to‐height ratio is independently related to whole and central body fat, regardless of the waist circumference measurement protocol, in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

“…WHtR also appeears to be at least similarly associated with abdominal fat as is WC, and better than both BMI and WHR (7,8) . To our knowledge, few studies have focused on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients using WHtR (9,10) . These studies have found rather high WHtR in NAFLD patients (9,10) which is concordant with the increased cardiovascular risk found in NAFLD patients (10)(11)(12)(13)(14) .…”