Atherogenic index of plasma is an independent predictor of ultrasound-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among non-obese populations.
Abstract Background & Aims: Evidence regarding the association between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in non-obese populations is limited. Our study aimed to investigate whether AIP predicts NAFLD in non-obese Chinese populations.Methods: The present study was a population-based longitudinal study, including 16 173 non-obese participants who underwent health examinations in a tertiary hospital from January 2010 to December 2014. The primary outcome was developing NAFLD during the follow-up period. Results: The mean age of the included participants was 43.2 ± 15.0 years old, and about 52.5% of them were male. During the follow-up period, 2 322 of 16 173 (14.3%) participants developed NAFLD. In the fully-adjusted model, for every one standard deviation increased in AIP levels, the incidence of NAFLD increased by 52% (1.52, 95%CI 1.43, 1.60). The optimal cut-off point of AIP for incident NAFLD was 0.00 (receiver operator characteristic 0.76 [95% CI 0.75–0.77], sensitivity 0.68, specificity 0.72). Individuals with AIP values in the positive range had two-fold increased odds of developing NALFD compared with those with values in the negative range. After propensity score matching, for every one-SD increased in AIP levels, the incidence of NAFLD increased by 34% (HR 1.34, 95%CI 1.27, 1.41). Conclusion: AIP is an independent predictor of incident NAFLD among Chinese non-obese populations.