Abstract:
Objective To investigate the association between cardiometabolic index (CMI) and new-onset myocardial infarction (MI) in the adults with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).
Methods The Kailuan database was used. A total of 30464 participants who underwent health examinations at the Kailuan Group in 2006 and were diagnosed with MAFLD based on abdominal ultrasonography and health check-up data were included. CMI was derived from the triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the waist-to-height ratio, and the participants were categorized into four groups based on baseline CMI quartiles: Q1 (CMI<0.43), Q2 (CMI 0.43 to <0.65), Q3 (CMI 0.65 to <1.05), and Q4 (cumCMI≥1.05). The cumulative incidence of MI was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between groups were compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the impact of CMI on new-onset MI in the MAFLD population and its subtypes, with stratification by age, gender and diabetes mellitus. In the sensitivity analysis, the Cox model was repeated after excluding individuals who experienced endpoint events within 2 years of follow-up, and individuals taking antihypertensive drugs, antihyperglycemics, and blood-lipid modulators at baseline.
Results During a mean follow-up of (14.70±3.25) years, 943 MI cases occurred. The cumulative incidence of MI increased with ascending CMI quartiles. The cumulative incidence rates of MI in Q1 to Q4 groups were 2.30%, 3.14%, 3.31%, and 3.66%, respectively (log-rank test, χ2 = 25.613, P = 0.002). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of MI in Q4 group was 1.41 times that in Q1 group, HR (95%CI) was 1.41 (1.12 to 1.79). Stratified analysis revealed that elevated CMI was associated with an increased risk of MI in males, individuals aged<60 years, and non-diabetic participants. The risk of MI in Q4 group were 1.47 times, 1.54 times, and 1.73 times that in Q1 group, HRs (95%CI) were 1.47 (1.14 to 1.89), 1.54 (1.14 to 2.09), 1.73 (1.31 to 2.28), respectively. However, the interaction between CMI level and sex or age had not significance (P > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results.
Conclusion Elevated CMI levels in the MAFLD population are associated with an increased risk of MI.