Association of the Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosed by Computed Tomography

Background: Although previous studies have suggested that the serum uric acid-to-creatinine ratio (sUA/Cr) is associated with metabolic syndrome, there is limited evidence of a relationship between sUA/Cr and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated the association between sUA/Cr and NAFLD in healthy adults. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 778 subjects who participated in a health examination. The participants were divided according to presence of NAFLD, which was determined by abdominal computed tomography (CT). Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the variables associated with NAFLD, and an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of sUA/Cr for NAFLD was estimated. Results: sUA/Cr in participants with NAFLD was significantly higher than in those without NAFLD. Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant association between sUA/Cr and NAFLD, and the adjusted OR of sUA/Cr increase of 1 for NAFLD was 1.182. (95% CI: 1.066-1.311). Conclusions: Elevated sUA/Cr was significantly associated with CT-diagnosed NAFLD in healthy adults. sUA/Cr may be a reliable marker for predicting NAFLD. (The Clinical Trial Registration number: 2020-06-002-002).