MAFLD mediates the association between CHR and gallstones in the U.S. adults: evidence from NHANES 2021–2023

MAFLD mediates the association between CHR and gallstones in the U.S. adults: evidence from NHANES 2021–2023

Abstract Background Gallstones, a global hepatobiliary disorder, are linked to systemic inflammation, lipid disturbances, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This population-based study aims to investigate the association of the novel inflammation-lipid composite biomarker high-sen...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xin Feng, Xiangyu Song, Xi’an Yang, Fuxiang Luan, Yufei Gu, Fengyu Zheng, Huahu Guo, Shishi Qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Gastroenterology
Subjects:
Gallstones
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
NAHNES
Cross-sectional studies
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03805-2
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Gallstones, a global hepatobiliary disorder, are linked to systemic inflammation, lipid disturbances, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This population-based study aims to investigate the association of the novel inflammation-lipid composite biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (CHR) with gallstones and evaluate whether MAFLD mediates this relationship. Methods This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2021–2023) to assess the correlation between the CHR and gallstone prevalence through weighted logistic regression. To evaluate potential nonlinear relationships and assess heterogeneity across key demographics, restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to model the association, complemented by subgroup analyses stratified by age, sex, and other covariates. A mediation analysis was used for elucidating the mediating effects of MAFLD. Results Among 4,078 participants, 432 (10.60%) had gallstones. After adjusting for confounders, each unit increase in CHR was associated with a 165% increased risk of gallstones (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.43–4.93, P = 0.006). The RCS curve demonstrated a nonlinear association between the CHR and gallstones (P overall < 0.001, P nonlinear < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that MAFLD explained 27.1% of this association. Conclusions CHR is positively associated with gallstones, with MAFLD partially mediating this relationship. Managing CHR levels and preventing MAFLD may reduce gallstone incidence.
ISSN:1471-230X

Similar Items