Triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a surrogate for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (TG/HDL-C) has been recommended as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between TG/HDL-C and NAFLD in an apparently healthy population. METHODS: A total of 18,061 subjects who participated in a health checkup program were included. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of NAFLD was 24.8% in the whole population, and progressively increased across the quartiles of TG/HDL-C (4.9, 14.1, 26.8 and 53.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, TG/HDL-C was independently associated with the risk of NAFLD. Compared with the first quartile of TG/HDL-C (Q1), the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD in the increasing quartiles (Q2-Q4) were 2.1(1.8–2.6), 3.6 (3.0–4.3) and 9.2(7.6–11.1), respectively. In addition, the area under receiver operator characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) of TG/HDL-C for NAFLD was 0.85 (0.84–0.86) in women and 0.79 (0.78–0.80) in men, significantly higher than that of TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT and AST (P < 0.05). The optimal cutoff point of TG/HDL-C for detection of NAFLD was 0.9 in women (sensitivity = 78.8%, specificity = 77.3%) and 1.4 in men (sensitivity = 70.7%, specificity = 73.5%). CONCLUSIONS: TG/HDL-C is independently associated with NAFLD in apparently healthy individuals and may be used as a surrogate for NAFLD.