Liver fibrosis indices are related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes

• Published in: Scientific reports 2021-12, Vol.11 (1), p.24372-24372, Article 24372
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyuho, Oh, Tae Jung, Cho, Hyen Chung, Lee, Yun Kyung, Ahn, Chang Ho, Koo, Bo Kyung, Moon, Jae Hoon, Choi, Sung Hee, Jang, Hak Chul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 692/163/2743/137/138; 692/163/2743/137/773; 692/4020/4021/1607/1605; 692/4020/4021/1607/2750; Body Mass Index; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetic Neuropathies - etiology; Diabetic Neuropathies - pathology; Fatty liver; Female; Fibrosis; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis - etiology; Liver Cirrhosis - pathology; Liver diseases; Male; Middle Aged; multidisciplinary; Observational studies; Peripheral neuropathy; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Serum levels; Severity of Illness Index
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03870-z

The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) or liver fibrosis and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate the association of NAFL or liver fibrosis indices and DPN in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In this observational study, we included 264 individuals with type 2 diabetes, and calculated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) liver fat score, NAFLD fibrosis score, and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index to evaluate the status of NAFLD or liver fibrosis. DPN was diagnosed when the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument—Physical Examination score was ≥ 2.5. The NAFLD fibrosis score and FIB-4 index were significantly higher in individuals with DPN than in those without DPN. Logistic analyses showed that the NAFLD fibrosis score and FIB-4 index were associated with DPN after adjustment for covariates (adjusted odds ratio 1.474 and 1.961, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, this association was only significant in the group with a high NAFLD liver fat score (> − 0.640). Serum levels of fetuin-A, a hepatokine, were decreased in individuals with abnormal vibration perception or 10-g monofilament tests compared with their counterparts. The present study suggests that liver fibrosis might be associated with DPN in individuals with type 2 diabetes.