Liver fibrosis assessed by transient elastography is independently associated with albuminuria in the general United States population

Abstract Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are frequent and progressive conditions that share traditional risk factors: obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Aims To evaluate whether an independent relationship exists between liver steatosis and fibrosis and different CKD phenotypes. Methods Cross sectional study based on data from the 2017–18 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) was performed in a US representative sample allowing the simultaneous assessment of liver steatosis (CAP: controlled attenuation parameter) and fibrosis (LSM: liver stiffness measurement) and their relationships with CKD phenotypes (albuminuria and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR). Results 4746 adult participants had a complete VCTE exam. Prevalence of liver steatosis and significant fibrosis was 33.7% (95%CI: 30.9–36.6%) and 8.9% (95%CI: 7.5–10.5%), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that liver fibrosis, but not steatosis, was associated with albuminuria (OR 2.19, 95%CI: 1.49–3.20) and albuminuria or reduced eGFR (OR 2.18, 95%CI: 1.59–3.00) also when adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, diabetes, blood pressure categories, glycated haemoglobin, use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers and CAP. Conclusions In the general US population liver fibrosis assessed using VCTE is associated with CKD, and in particular with the albuminuric phenotype, regardless of traditional risk factors.