Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but accurately measuring it in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains challenging. This study examines the relatio...

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Main Authors: Stefano Ciardullo, Alessandro Roberto Dodesini, Emanuele Muraca, Pietro Invernizzi, Roberto Trevisan, Gianluca Perseghin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Diabetology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4540/6/6/50
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author Stefano Ciardullo
Alessandro Roberto Dodesini
Emanuele Muraca
Pietro Invernizzi
Roberto Trevisan
Gianluca Perseghin
author_facet Stefano Ciardullo
Alessandro Roberto Dodesini
Emanuele Muraca
Pietro Invernizzi
Roberto Trevisan
Gianluca Perseghin
author_sort Stefano Ciardullo
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but accurately measuring it in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains challenging. This study examines the relationship between a recently proposed insulin resistance index and the presence of liver steatosis and fibrosis in individuals with T2D. <b>Methods</b>: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Patients with T2D who did not have chronic viral hepatitis or significant alcohol intake were included. The insulin sensitivity (IS) index was calculated using a formula incorporating body mass index, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, triglycerides, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Liver stiffness and steatosis were assessed through transient elastography. MASLD was defined as a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥274 decibels/meter (dB/m), while significant liver fibrosis was defined as a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) of ≥8 kPa. Multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the association between IS and these liver outcomes. <b>Results</b>: A total of 1084 patients with T2D were analyzed. The prevalence of MASLD and significant liver fibrosis was 74.1% (95% CI 68.7–78.9) and 25.4% (95% CI 21.2–30.2), respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, and race/ethnicity, lower IS scores (indicating higher insulin resistance) were independently associated with increased odds of both MASLD (quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.23–5.71) and significant liver fibrosis (quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.45–7.51). These findings remained consistent across subgroups stratified by age, sex, and obesity status. <b>Conclusions</b>: This novel IS model, derived from commonly available clinical and biochemical markers, is independently associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis. Its application may help identify patients with more advanced MASLD, facilitating early intervention and risk stratification.
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spelling doaj-art-51e943eed7a54fff91e57349698f0f402025-08-20T02:24:21ZengMDPI AGDiabetology2673-45402025-06-01665010.3390/diabetology6060050Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 DiabetesStefano Ciardullo0Alessandro Roberto Dodesini1Emanuele Muraca2Pietro Invernizzi3Roberto Trevisan4Gianluca Perseghin5Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900 Monza, ItalyEndocrine and Diabetology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900 Monza, ItalyDivision of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Monza, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900 Monza, Italy<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but accurately measuring it in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains challenging. This study examines the relationship between a recently proposed insulin resistance index and the presence of liver steatosis and fibrosis in individuals with T2D. <b>Methods</b>: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Patients with T2D who did not have chronic viral hepatitis or significant alcohol intake were included. The insulin sensitivity (IS) index was calculated using a formula incorporating body mass index, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, triglycerides, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Liver stiffness and steatosis were assessed through transient elastography. MASLD was defined as a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥274 decibels/meter (dB/m), while significant liver fibrosis was defined as a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) of ≥8 kPa. Multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to evaluate the association between IS and these liver outcomes. <b>Results</b>: A total of 1084 patients with T2D were analyzed. The prevalence of MASLD and significant liver fibrosis was 74.1% (95% CI 68.7–78.9) and 25.4% (95% CI 21.2–30.2), respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, and race/ethnicity, lower IS scores (indicating higher insulin resistance) were independently associated with increased odds of both MASLD (quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.23–5.71) and significant liver fibrosis (quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.45–7.51). These findings remained consistent across subgroups stratified by age, sex, and obesity status. <b>Conclusions</b>: This novel IS model, derived from commonly available clinical and biochemical markers, is independently associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis. Its application may help identify patients with more advanced MASLD, facilitating early intervention and risk stratification.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4540/6/6/50insulin resistanceMASLDfibrosisfibroscan
spellingShingle Stefano Ciardullo
Alessandro Roberto Dodesini
Emanuele Muraca
Pietro Invernizzi
Roberto Trevisan
Gianluca Perseghin
Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetology
insulin resistance
MASLD
fibrosis
fibroscan
title Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
title_full Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
title_fullStr Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
title_full_unstemmed Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
title_short Readily Available Index of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
title_sort readily available index of insulin sensitivity is associated with metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease and liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes
topic insulin resistance
MASLD
fibrosis
fibroscan
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4540/6/6/50
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