Associations between Life's Essential 8 and liver function: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Hepatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score assesses cardiovascular health across eight metrics.
• Liver function is vital for overall health, yet its link with LE8 is understudied.
• Shared metabolic pathways necessitate understanding cardiovascular and liver health interplay.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between LE8 scores and liver function indicators.
• To address the gap in knowledge regarding cardiovascular and hepatic health connections.
• To explore potential age-specific differences in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (n=21,873).
• Categorized participants into low, moderate, and high LE8 score groups.
• Employed multivariable regression, smoothed curve fitting, threshold effect analysis, and WQS regression for analysis.

Main Results:

• Higher LE8 scores were linked to improved liver function markers (ALT, ALT/AST ratio).
• Nonlinear associations were observed, with significant effects beyond specific thresholds.
• Associations were stronger in younger participants (<60 years); BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and nicotine exposure were key contributors.

Conclusions:

• LE8 scores are associated with better liver function, particularly in younger populations.
• LE8 may serve as a valuable tool for identifying individuals at risk of liver dysfunction.
• Further research should explore interventions targeting cardiovascular health for liver benefits.