The Fatty Liver Index: A Simple and Accurate Predictor of Colorectal Adenoma in an Average-Risk Population

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, is associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma, a precursor of colorectal cancer. Because nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and colorectal adenoma share many common risk factors of metabolic syndrome, the association between these 2 pathological findings has been investigated in multiple studies, but the results have been conflicting. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the fatty liver index, a predictor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and the prevalence of colorectal adenomas. DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a single expert center. PATIENTS: A total of 2976 consecutive subjects over 40 years of age undergoing routine checkups including abdominal ultrasonography and colonoscopy at Chung-Ang University Hospital Health Care Center were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was the prevalence of colorectal adenomas according to fatty liver index. RESULTS: Among these subjects, 932 (31.3%) had colorectal adenoma, 691 (23.2%) had metabolic syndrome, and 1512 (50.8%) had fatty liver on ultrasonography. In multivariate analysis, fatty liver index 30 was associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma (OR, 1.269; 95% CI, 1.06-1.49; p = 0.008). The fatty liver index-high group (fatty liver index 30) had more colorectal adenomas and more advanced colorectal adenomas than the fatty liver index-low group (fatty liver index <30) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.042). The prevalence of colorectal adenomas increased with increasing quartile of fatty liver index (p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by a relatively healthy Asian population. CONCLUSION: The high fatty liver index may be a useful predictor of colorectal adenoma. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A478.