Cardio-Metabolic Index as a Novel Predictor for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) In Egyptian Patients

Abstract Background Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a new definition of liver disease associated with known metabolic dysfunction and is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Aim of the Work to investigate the association between the cardiometabolic index (CMI) with risk of metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Patients and Methods a cross-sectional study. It included 50 patients. It was conducted in Ain Shams University Internal Medicine department for six months from June 2023 to December 2023. Results the study revealed that a wide age group ranging from 22 to 70 years, (mean age of 49.86±12.91 years). There was male to female ratio 1:1, mean of BMI [wt/ (ht)∧2] was 34.17±5.28, WHtR was 0.59±0.09, DM was 22 (44.0%) and HTN was 22 (44.0%). Association between CMI and different parameters was done and resulted in no statistically significant association between CMI and sex, obesity. While it showed statistically significant association between CMI and age groups, higher score of steatosis, higher score of fibrosis, and enlarged liver size. Correlation between CMI with different parameters in patients, using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was done and resulted in; statistically significant positive correlation between CMI with age (years), HTN, TG, steatosis score, fibrosis score and size liver, with p-value (p < 0.05). While, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between Cardio-metabolic Index with WHtR and HDL, with p-value (p < 0.05). As for the rest have insignificant correlation, with p-value (p > 0.05). ROC curve analysis proved good discriminating power of the (Cardio-metabolic Index) between positive liver and negative liver for Fibrosis where Area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.86 with SE 0.163 (95% Confidence interval 0.72 – 0.94. Z statistic= 6.332, p < 0.001. Cutoff point >5.5 with sensitivity= 87.2% and specificity=81.8. Conclusion The cardiometabolic index (CMI), a recently developed index reflecting visceral adipose tissue (VAT) distribution and dysfunction consisting of anthropometric and biochemical indicators, including waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and triglyceride to high- density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C), which can be easily obtained during a health examination.