Tanaka M, Takahashi S, Higashiura Y, et al. - Findings in middle-aged and elderly individuals demonstrate an independent association between fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) level and fatty liver index (FLI), and revealed FABP4 concentration as an independent predictor of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in this population.

• A total of 627 individuals with mean age 65 years (men/women: 292/335) were examined in the Tanno-Sobetsu Study, a population-based cohort.

• Positive correlations of FLI with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and levels of FABP4, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), HOMA-R as an insulin resistance index and urate were found, whereas negative correlations were noted with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and adiponectin.

• In multivariable regression analysis, an independent link was found between FABP4 concentration and FLI post-adjustment of age, gender, SBP and levels of urate, HDL-C, HOMA-R, adiponectin and FGF21.

• FABP4 was revealed as an independent predictor of MAFLD post-adjustment of age, gender, presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and levels of urate, HOMA-R, adiponectin and FGF21.