Association between liver fibrosis’s noninvasive scores and retinal imaging changes: insights from NHANES
Abstract Background There is a known association between liver disease and retinopathy. However, the relationship between non-invasive fibrosis scores and retinal image changes remains unknown. The research sought to explore the link between Fibrosis-4 score (FIB‐4) and Fibrosis‐8 score (FIB-8) and...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00805-6 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background There is a known association between liver disease and retinopathy. However, the relationship between non-invasive fibrosis scores and retinal image changes remains unknown. The research sought to explore the link between Fibrosis-4 score (FIB‐4) and Fibrosis‐8 score (FIB-8) and retinal image changes. Methods This cross-sectional study included participants with complete information on FIB-4/FIB-8, retinal images and covariates from two cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2005–2008. We converted FIB-4 to the categorical variable according to its correlation with liver fibrosis staging (< 1.3, 1.3–2.67, ≥ 2.67; <1.45, 1.45–3.25, > 3.25). Weighted multifactorial logistic regression was used to assess the association between FIB-4、 FIB-8 and retinal image changes, and Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) and smoothed curve fitting were used to examine the dose-response relationship between FIB-4, FIB-8 and retinal image changes. Results The cross-sectional study included a total of 3399 participants (1715 men; 1684 women) with a mean age of 62.27 (9.49) years. Following comprehensive adjustments, a positive correlation was identified between FIB-4, FIB-8, and retinal image changes. When FIB-4 was converted to a categorical variable, there was a 62% increased risk of retinal image changes in higher FIB-4 group compared to the control group [OR:1.62,95% CI (1.01,2.59)]. Additionally, the relationship between FIB-4 and retinal image changes was found to be non-linear, while the association between FIB-8 and retinal image changes presented a linear pattern. Subgroup analyses and interactions showed that there was a significant interaction between economic situation and educational level and FIB-4, whereas there was no interaction between the variables of interest and FIB-8. Conclusion Among individuals aged fifty years and older, FIB-4 and FIB-8 are linked to a higher risk of retinal image changes, particularly among those with advanced liver fibrosis. Our findings suggest that patients with severe fibrosis should also be monitored for retinal health. |
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| ISSN: | 2072-1315 |