Association Between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver And Increased Low-Level Albuminuria In Postmenopausal Women In China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Several studies have suggested that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The excretion of low-level albuminuria (LLA) elevates as the prevalence of CVD increases. However, few studies have explored the association between NAFLD and LLA.Methods This cross-sectional study included 31 147 Chinese adults (7664 men and 23 483 women). The "normal" level of albuminuria as determined by the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) was below 30 mg/g. LLA was defined as a higher level within the "normal" albuminuria range (5.54 mg/g < LLA <= 29.9 mg/g). The participants with NAFLD were defined as having a fatty liver index (FLI) >= 60. The FLI was calculated using the Bedogni equation.Results A positive association was found between UACR and FLI through multivariate linear regression analyses (nonstandardized beta +/- SE: .047 +/- 0.004, P <.001). The logistic regression analyses revealed that NAFLD had adjusted odds ratios (ORs) showing a significant relationship with LLA in models 1 to 4 (all subjects: OR, 1.207; 95% CI, 1.098-1.326; women: OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.26-1.63; all P <.001); however, we did not find significant adjusted ORs among the men. In the stratified analyses, the relationship between NAFLD and LLA was significant among postmenopausal women with a body mass index >= 24 but <28 kg/m(2), fasting plasma glucose >= 5.6 but <7.0 mmol/L, or postprandial plasma glucose >= 7.8 but <11.1 mmol/L and those aged below 60 years without moderate-intensity exercise.Conclusions A noteworthy association between NAFLD and LLA was found among postmenopausal women who had borderline blood glucose values, were overweight, and did not engage in moderate-intensity physical activity.