Controlled attenuation parameter is associated with metabolic disorders in patients with obesity in the Chinese...

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and metabolic disorders in patients with obesity.

In total, 716 obese patients were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups (non-severe and severe hepatic steatosis) based on their CAP value. The prevalence of metabolic disorders and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were compared between the two groups.

Patients with severe hepatic steatosis exhibited significantly higher levels of blood pressure, fasting C peptide, glycated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), uric acid, and triglyceride, as well as lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) than exhibited by those without severe hepatic steatosis. CAP was significantly positively associated with blood pressure, fasting C peptide, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and HDL. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), binary logistic regression analysis revealed that CAP could be a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, decreased HDL, and elevated triglyceride. Furthermore, CAP may independently predict metabolic disorders, including hypertension, decreased HDL, and insulin resistance.

Our findings suggest that CAP is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction in Chinese individuals with obesity, and it could serve as a good predictor of metabolic dysfunction, especially hypertension, decreased HDL, and insulin resistance.