Fetuin-A in newly detected type 2 diabetes mellitus as a marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Fetuin-A has been implicated in the causation of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis. Numerous studies have shown the association between levels of fetuin-A in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The levels of fetuin-A in newly detected type 2 diabetic (NDD) patients and its relationship with the presence of NAFLD have not been studied.

Objective: To study the fetuin-A levels in patients with NDD and its relationship with NAFLD.

Methods: A total of 60 NDD patients were studied. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made on the basis of transient elastography. Serum fetuin-A and serum fasting insulin were measured along with other investigations.

Results: The percentage of patients with NAFLD in NDD was 53.33%. Fetuin-A levels were significantly higher in NDD with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD. There was no association of fetuin-A with age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and markers of advanced fibrosis. Fetuin-A levels beyond 1166.5 mcg/mL could predict the development of NAFLD with odds ratio (OR) of 4.33 (95% CI: 1.364-13.77), which remained significant after adjustment for various confounding factors.

Conclusion: Fetuin-A is a reliable marker of NAFLD in NDD and is positively associated with insulin resistance (IR). The observation in this study suggests that high serum fetuin-A levels in patients with NAFLD do not merely reflect the effects of insulin resistance, but also a more extensive distortion of liver architecture.