A Cross-Sectional Study of the Correlation Between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to examine the possible association between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this survey, data from 1074 patients with T2DM were retrospectively extracted. The correlations between each variable and NAFLD were determined by univariate analysis, and then, the statistically significant variables were evaluated for their association with AIP and NAFLD by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: AIP levels were significantly higher in all males and females with NAFLD than those without NAFLD (p<0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD increased progressively throughout the AIP quartiles (trend P < 0.001) and accounted for possible variables in Model 3 of the multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR: 2244.984). In terms of sensitivity and specificity, the AIP index was found to be 65.0% and 90.1% accurate, respectively, with a 95% CI of 0.804–0.893. According to a stratified analysis, females, patients over the age of 56 and current nonsmokers were found to have a higher chance of developing NAFLD. CONCLUSION: T2DM individuals with NAFLD were found to have a higher AIP index than those without NAFLD. The prevalence and progression of NAFLD in T2DM patients may be influenced by the AIP index.