Association of Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Population of Sargodha: Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Saima Rasheed; Amina Shahid; Abubakar Sarfraz; Saima Tabassum; Sahar Mudassar; Bilal Habib

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i1.2456

Authors

Saima Rasheed Department of Biochemistry, Niazi Medical and Dental College, Sargodha, Pakistan
Amina Shahid Department of Biochemistry, Pak Red Crescent Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Abubakar Sarfraz Department of Biochemistry, Pak Red Crescent Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Saima Tabassum Department of Biochemistry, Niazi Medical and Dental College, Sargodha, Pakistan
Sahar Mudassar Department of Pathology, Rashid Latif Medical College, Sargodha, Pakistan
Bilal Habib Department of Physiology, Rai Medical College, Sargodha, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i1.2456

Keywords:

Alcohol, Uric Acid, Creatinine, Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio, NAFLD

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health concern, particularly in regions with high obesity rates. Objectives: To evaluate the serum uric acid to serum creatinine (sUA/sCr) ratio as a potential diagnostic biomarker for NAFLD in a Pakistani population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Niazi Medical and Dental College, Sargodha, from November 2023 to April 2024, with 246 participants presenting with signs and symptoms of NAFLD. Clinical and biochemical parameters, including BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and liver enzymes, were assessed. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between these factors and NAFLD prevalence and severity. The serum uric acid/serum creatinine (sUA/sCr) ratio was evaluated as a potential biomarker for severe NAFLD. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 with ANOVA, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression. Results: NAFLD prevalence was 39%, with physical activity reducing the risk (OR: 0.65, p=0.015) and age, obesity, hypertension, high blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, and hs-CRP identified as risk factors. Severe NAFLD was associated with increased waist circumference, hypertension, inflammation, and BMI. The sUA/sCr ratio demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy for severe NAFLD (AUC 0.90, sensitivity 85%, specificity 80%, p<0.001). Conclusions: It was concluded that sUA/sCr ratio was a promising non-invasive biomarker for diagnosing and assessing NAFLD severity in the population of Sargodha.

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