High-Sensitive CRP Correlates With the Severity of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in Obese Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common hepatopathy worldwide due to the obesity epidemic and is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as an inflammatory marker has been used in diagnosing MAFLD. However, the association between hsCRP and the severity of liver steatosis and fibrosis among obese patients with MAFLD remains to be elucidated.ObjectiveTo explore the correlation of hsCRP with the severity of liver steatosis and fibrosis among Chinese obese patients with MAFLD.MethodsA total of 393 obese patients with mean BMI 34.8 ± 6.6 kg/m2 were selected and categorized as MAFLD and non-MAFLD groups. Anthropometric data, biochemical indices, and hsCRP were measured. The severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis was assessed using FibroScan. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between hsCRP and the risk of MAFLD and its disease severity.ResultsPatients with MAFLD showed significantly elevated hsCRP levels and were more likely to have severe steatosis and fibrosis compared to those without MAFLD. The proportions of MAFLD, severe steatosis, and severe fibrosis were significantly increased across the hsCRP quartiles (P-trend = 0.004, 0.021, and 0.006, respectively). After multivariable adjustments, the adjusted ORs (AORs) and 95%CI for MAFLD were 1.00 (reference), 1.298 (0.587-2.872), 2.407 (1.002-5.781), and 2.637(1.073-6.482) (Q1-Q4, P-trend = 0.014). Likewise, the AORs (95%CI) for severe steatosis and severe fibrosis were remarkably increased with the increment of serum hsCRP quartiles (P-trend < 0.001, P-trend = 0.021, respectively).ConclusionsElevated serum hsCRP levels were associated with increased risk of MAFLD among Chinese obese patients and correlated positively with the severity of liver steatosis and fibrosis, suggesting that hsCRP can be used as a potential biomarker to monitor and predict disease severity among Chinese obese population with MAFLD.

Association of C-reactive protein with histological, elastographic, and sonographic indices of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in individuals with severe obesity

“…In our studied population, hs-CRP values showed an acceptable specificity towards liver steatosis or fibrosis. This association may be attributed to inflammatory process and insulin resistance along with dyslipidemia, excess weight, and increased liver enzymes [32,33].…”

Predictive role of selected biomarkers in differentiating gram-positive from gram-negative sepsis in surgical patients: a retrospective study

“…Retrospectively defining sepsis in the ICU is challenging due to its varied presentations, overlap with other conditions, dynamic characteristics, subjective elements, subtle early signs, and evolving diagnostic criteria [15,41]. Additionally, important patient demographic factors that could influence CRP and PCT levels, such as chronic heart, liver, and kidney diseases, were not considered in this analysis [42][43][44]. Furthermore, this study did not investigate the source of other infections, such as peritonitis or pneumonia.…”

Diagnostic Performance of Biomarker-Based Scores as Predictors of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Risk in Healthy Children

“…However, the use of this new algorithm did not improve discriminatory power, but gave a better sensitivity for MAFLD prediction in boys (P1NP/ALPxCRP 86% vs. CRP 59%). CRP alone was recognized as a predictor of liver steatosis and fibrosis in MAFLD subjects [ 36 ], but it is a non-specific marker of liver inflammation. Thus, we believe that the P1NP/ALPxCRP algorithm could be used as a more liver-specific test.…”