title: FT3/FT4 ratio predicts non-alcoholic fatty liver disease independent of metabolic parameters in patients with euthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to evaluate the effects of metabolic parameters and thyroid dysfunction on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study evaluated a total of 115 patients, 75 female and 40 male. Physical examination and anthropometric measurements were applied to all participants. Hypothyroidism was considered at a thyroid stimulating hormone level ≥ 4.1 mIU/L. Patients with euthyroidism and patients with hypothyroidism were compared. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to diagnose non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The participants were further compared with regard to the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Logistic regression modeling was performed to identify the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and independent variables, such as metabolic parameters and insulin resistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was identified in 69 patients. The mean waist circumference, body mass index, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR (p<0.001) and FT3/FT4 ratio (p=0.01) values were significantly higher in the patients with NAFLD compared to those without it. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that FT3/FT4 ratio, waist circumference and insulin resistance were independent risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insulin resistance, enlarged waist circumference, elevated body mass index, higher FT3/FT4 ratio and hypertriglyceridemia are independent risk factors for NADLF, whereas hypothyroidism is not directly related to the condition.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Yahyaoğlu
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Gökmen
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahbab
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hayriye Esra
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ataoğlu
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Betül Çavuşoğlu
authors.initials: BÇ
authors.lastname: Türker
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Faik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Çetin
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Türker
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Rabia Yahyaoğlu
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Mamaç
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Clinic, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yenigün
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014280:Triglycerides; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D002784:Cholesterol; D013974:Thyroxine