Association between MHR and MAFLD: A Single-center Retrospective Study

Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has high incidences and is one of the major hepatic diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been considered to be an important pathogenesis of MAFLD. Monocyte /HDL-C ratio (MHR) is a novel marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. This study attempted to explore the correlation between MHR and MAFLD. Methods This study enrolled a total of 705 adults with MALFD and 1,505 healthy subjects as the control group. All participants accepted the anthropometric and laboratory tests. MHR was acquired as monocytes count divided by high-density lipoprotein concentration. After adjusting sex, age, BMI, blood pressure, hepatic enzyme, uric acid, fasting glucose, triglyceride, LDL-C, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, we analyzed the correlation between MHR and MAFLD. Results An increased MHR was identified in the MAFLD group, and MHR correlated with BMI, diabetes history, and metabolic abnormalities. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that MHR was associated with MAFLD. After adjusting for potential confounders, a non-linear relationship was found between MHR and MAFLD, and the inflection point was 0.396 in the non-linear curve. On the left of the inflection point, MHR positively correlated with MAFLD (OR = 1.459, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.196 to 1.781, p < 0.001). However, there was no obvious relationship on the right (OR = 0.934, 95% CI: 0.797 to 1.096, p = 0.403). Interaction analysis showed that the association between MHR and MAFLD was significant in people less than 60, non-obese, without a history of diabetes, and without severe metabolic abnormalities. Conclusion MHR increased in adults with MAFLD. MHR positively correlated with MAFLD when less than 0.396. Therefore, MHR could be used as a predictor of MAFLD.