SHBG as a Marker for Fatty Liver Disease in Men
Author Information
Author(s): Fodor Duric Ljiljana, Belčić Velimir, Oberiter Korbar Anja, Ćurković Sanja, Vujicic Bozidar, Gulin Tonko, Muslim Jelena, Gulin Matko, Grgurević Mladen, Catic Cuti Edina, Lichtenauer Michael, Berezin Alexander E.
Primary Institution: School of Medicine, University of Catholica Croatica, Zagreb, Croatia
Hypothesis
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between SHBG and MAFLD in a male cohort and to explore interactions with body mass index (BMI), age, and other metabolic factors.
Conclusion
SHBG may serve as a valuable biomarker for early detection and risk assessment of MAFLD.
Supporting Evidence
- Individuals with MAFLD had lower SHBG levels compared to controls.
- BMI and age were key factors influencing SHBG levels.
- Higher BMI was linked to lower SHBG in younger men.
- SHBG levels remained stable in older individuals regardless of BMI.
- A significant association was found between low SHBG levels and the presence of fatty liver.
Takeaway
This study found that lower levels of a protein called SHBG are linked to fatty liver disease in men, suggesting it could help doctors spot the disease early.
Methodology
The study included 98 male patients with MAFLD and 74 healthy male controls, assessing various metabolic and hormonal parameters through blood tests and abdominal ultrasound.
Potential Biases
The study focused only on male participants, which may limit the generalizability of findings to females or mixed-gender populations.
Limitations
The use of ultrasound instead of biopsy for MAFLD diagnosis may limit the precision of liver fat assessment.
Participant Demographics
The study involved 172 male participants aged 30 to 55 years, with a mean age of 43.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.786–0.974
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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