The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content

Abstract Excessive accumulation of liver fat content (LFC) is a pathological manifestation of steatotic liver diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between chronic pain and LFC development. In the UK Biobank, chronic pain sites were collected via questionnaire, while LFC was meas...

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Main Authors: Yu Cheng, Rong Yang, Yu Jia, Yiheng Zhou, Yi Yao, Can Shen, Dongze Li, Rui Zeng, Zhi Wan, Qian Zhao, Lihua Jiang, Xiaoyang Liao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89496-x
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author Yu Cheng
Rong Yang
Yu Jia
Yiheng Zhou
Yi Yao
Can Shen
Dongze Li
Rui Zeng
Zhi Wan
Qian Zhao
Lihua Jiang
Xiaoyang Liao
author_facet Yu Cheng
Rong Yang
Yu Jia
Yiheng Zhou
Yi Yao
Can Shen
Dongze Li
Rui Zeng
Zhi Wan
Qian Zhao
Lihua Jiang
Xiaoyang Liao
author_sort Yu Cheng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Excessive accumulation of liver fat content (LFC) is a pathological manifestation of steatotic liver diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between chronic pain and LFC development. In the UK Biobank, chronic pain sites were collected via questionnaire, while LFC was measured by magnetic resonance imaging and quantified by Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF). During the median follow-up of 10.5 (4.0-17.8) years, in 39,437 individuals, neck/shoulder, back, stomach/abdominal, knee, and general pain achieved significant arithmetic means difference of 0.02, 0.02, 0.04, 0.02, and 0.15 in PDFF (P < 0.05) using multivariable linear regression models. There was a significant dose-effect for number of pain sites and PDFF (P < 0.001). Additionally, the link between pain sites and PDFF was much stronger in aspirin users than non-users, while steroids had the reverse effect (P for interaction < 0.05). C-reactive protein, sleep, diet, and depression were proved to mediated 8.41%, 13.3%, 6.6%, and 23.0% of the relationship, respectively. In conclusion, there were quantified differences in the relationship between chronic pain and LFC. For chronic pain patients with potential liver health issues, aspirin may be prioritized as an analgesic option due to its potential protective benefits, whereas steroid medications should be avoided.
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spelling doaj-art-00e2c0e9d79541febd5fcde772719e052025-08-20T02:01:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-89496-xThe association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat contentYu Cheng0Rong Yang1Yu Jia2Yiheng Zhou3Yi Yao4Can Shen5Dongze Li6Rui Zeng7Zhi Wan8Qian Zhao9Lihua Jiang10Xiaoyang Liao11General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Disaster Medical Center, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Disaster Medical Center, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityGeneral Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityAbstract Excessive accumulation of liver fat content (LFC) is a pathological manifestation of steatotic liver diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between chronic pain and LFC development. In the UK Biobank, chronic pain sites were collected via questionnaire, while LFC was measured by magnetic resonance imaging and quantified by Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF). During the median follow-up of 10.5 (4.0-17.8) years, in 39,437 individuals, neck/shoulder, back, stomach/abdominal, knee, and general pain achieved significant arithmetic means difference of 0.02, 0.02, 0.04, 0.02, and 0.15 in PDFF (P < 0.05) using multivariable linear regression models. There was a significant dose-effect for number of pain sites and PDFF (P < 0.001). Additionally, the link between pain sites and PDFF was much stronger in aspirin users than non-users, while steroids had the reverse effect (P for interaction < 0.05). C-reactive protein, sleep, diet, and depression were proved to mediated 8.41%, 13.3%, 6.6%, and 23.0% of the relationship, respectively. In conclusion, there were quantified differences in the relationship between chronic pain and LFC. For chronic pain patients with potential liver health issues, aspirin may be prioritized as an analgesic option due to its potential protective benefits, whereas steroid medications should be avoided.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89496-xChronic painLiver fat contentLiver proton density fat fractionMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseaseAspirin
spellingShingle Yu Cheng
Rong Yang
Yu Jia
Yiheng Zhou
Yi Yao
Can Shen
Dongze Li
Rui Zeng
Zhi Wan
Qian Zhao
Lihua Jiang
Xiaoyang Liao
The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content
Scientific Reports
Chronic pain
Liver fat content
Liver proton density fat fraction
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Aspirin
title The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content
title_full The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content
title_fullStr The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content
title_full_unstemmed The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content
title_short The association of chronic pain, painkiller use, and potential mediators with liver fat content
title_sort association of chronic pain painkiller use and potential mediators with liver fat content
topic Chronic pain
Liver fat content
Liver proton density fat fraction
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Aspirin
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89496-x
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