The relationship between lipid accumulation products and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among adults in the North of Iran: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Insights into the relationship between adiposity and lipid metabolism are provided by the lipid accumulation product (LAP) index, which is particularly relevant in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the LAP index and NAFLD in the Iranian population.

METHODS

The current cross-sectional study (n = 3,120) was conducted in the second stage of the Amol Cohort Study. NAFLD was confirmed to use ultrasound imaging. The values of the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and LAP were obtained using the corresponding equations. Additionally, a multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between LAP tertiles and both NAFLD and HSI.

RESULTS

The findings showed that there was a 1.8% increase in the odds of NAFLD and a 1.6% increase in the odds of HSI for each unit change in LAP score (P < 0.001 for both) in the adjusted model. Also, the analysis based on LAP tertiles found higher odds of NAFLD and HSI in the second tertile (NAFLD: odds ratio (OR) = 2.042, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.578-2.642, P < 0.001 - HSI: OR = 1.765, 95% CI: 1.283-2.428, P < 0.001) and last tertile (NAFLD: OR = 3.607, 95% CI: 2.665-4.880, P < 0.001 - HSI: OR = 3.406, 95% CI: 2.282-5.083, P < 0.001) of LAP compared to the first tertile in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

The present research provides robust evidence that a higher LAP index is strongly associated with higher odds of NAFLD and hepatic steatosis.