Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Application of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in a Rat Model of NAFLD/NASH
Published on: April 20, 2021
Association of serum creatinine with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis: a cross-sectional study
Juan Ma1, Zhongcao Wei1, Qian Wang2
1Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, NO.157 Xiwu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China.
Insights
Higher serum creatinine (SCr) levels are independently associated with increased risk of hepatic steatosis (HS) in the Chinese population. This finding suggests a potential link between kidney function and fatty liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence is higher in patients with hepatic steatosis (HS).
- The relationship between serum creatinine (SCr) and HS remains unclear.
- Investigating the association between SCr and HS is crucial for understanding disease comorbidities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between serum creatinine (SCr) levels and hepatic steatosis (HS).
- To investigate the independence of this association from other metabolic syndrome components.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 56,569 Chinese individuals.
- Data included SCr, clinical parameters, abdominal ultrasound, and noninvasive fibrosis scores (FIB-4).
- Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to create comparable HS and non-HS groups (13,301 each).
Main Results:
- Hepatic steatosis (HS) was present in 27.1% of subjects.
- Serum creatinine (SCr) levels were significantly higher in the HS group (73.19 ± 15.14 μmol/L) versus the non-HS group (71.75 ± 17.49 μmol/L).
- A positive, independent association was found between SCr and HS prevalence, with HS prevalence increasing with SCr levels. Metabolism-related indicators and liver enzymes were also higher in the HS group and increased with SCr levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum creatinine (SCr) level is independently associated with hepatic steatosis (HS) risk.
- This association was observed in a large Chinese population.
- Findings highlight a potential link between kidney function and fatty liver disease.
Background:
Recent studies have shown that chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence is significantly higher in patients with hepatic steatosis (HS); however, it remains unclear whether HS is associated with serum creatinine (SCr). We aimed to explore the association between SCr levels and HS in a Chinese population.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional study among 56,569 Chinese individuals. SCr level, other clinical and laboratory parameters, abdominal ultrasound and noninvasive fibrosis scores were extracted, and the fibrosis 4 score (FIB-4) was calculated.
Results:
A total of 27.1% of the subjects had HS. After 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) according to sex and age, we included 13,301 subjects with HS and 13,301 subjects without HS. SCr levels were significantly higher in the HS group than in the non-HS group [73.19 ± 15.14(μmoI/L) vs. 71.75 ± 17.49(μmoI/L), p < 0.001]. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed a positive association between SCr and the prevalence of HS. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the association between SCr and HS was independent of other metabolic syndrome components. The prevalence of HS increased significantly with increasing SCr levels. Metabolism-related indicators and liver enzymes were significantly higher in the HS group than in the non-HS group; furthermore, these parameters increased with increasing SCr levels. FIB-4 was significantly higher in the HS group than in the non-HS group but did not show an increasing trend with increasing SCr levels.
Conclusions:
Our results showed an independent association between SCr level and HS risk in a Chinese population.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention