Association between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes: a population-based cross-sectional study

The widespread use of body weight control agents might be related to liver enzyme elevation, but this potential association has only been documented in a few case reports. This study aimed to investigate the associations between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes at the population-level. We conducted a cross-sectional study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data from 2013 to 2019. This study included 36,259 participants over 20 years of age who completed the questionnaire and had no history of hepatitis, cancer, or renal failure. In these participants, we analyzed associations between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes by constructing multiple logistic regression models with adjustment for confounding factors and stratified by sex, age, and body mass index. The use of weight loss agents related to liver enzyme elevation in men (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.71) and participants aged less than 40 years (aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12–1.87). Using more types of weight loss agents was associated with liver enzyme elevation (aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03–1.67 for 1 weight loss agent, aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 0.93–3.99 for ≥ 2 weight loss agents). Elevated liver enzymes were associated with the use of traditional medicines (aOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14–3.34) and dietary supplements (aOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02–1.72) in men. We observed an association between weight loss agents and liver enzyme elevation in men, particularly for traditional herbal medicines and dietary supplements. To confirm the observed associations, studies higher on the evidence hierarchy are needed.