Table 3.
Association* of Liver Fibrosis with Brain MRI Parameters in the UK Biobank.
| Primary Approach: Liver Fibrosis versus no Liver Fibrosis | Secondary Approach: For each 1.0 unit increase in FIB-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| White matter hyperintensity volume (mm3) † | ||
| Preliminary model‡ | 0.02 (−0.05, 0.09; P=0.594) | −0.02 (−0.04, 0.00; P=0.156) |
| Final adjusted model§ | 0.05 (−0.02, 0.12; P=0.196) | 0.03 (0.01, 0.05; P=0.019) |
| Sensitivity analysis 1¶ | 0.04 (−0.04, 0.12; P=0.268) | 0.03 (0.01, 0.05; P=0.011) |
| Sensitivity analysis 2# | 0.05 (−0.02, 0.12; P=0.227) | 0.03 (0.01, 0.05; P=0.020) |
| Sensitivity analysis 3** | 0.04 (−0.03, 0.12; P=0.248) | 0.03 (0.00, 0.05; P=0.021) |
| Hippocampal volume (mm3) † | ||
| Preliminary model‡ | −85.57 (−131.38, −39.76; P<0.001) | −20.55 (−33.79, −7.31; P=0.002) |
| Final adjusted model§ | −86.78 (−132.72, −40.84; P<0.001)* | −27.00 (−40.50, −13.50; P<0.001)* |
| Sensitivity analysis 1¶ | −86.46 (−134.36, −38.56; P<0.001) | −27.38 (−41.53, −13.23; P<0.001) |
| Sensitivity analysis 2# | −79.39 (−125.66, −33.12; P=0.001) | −26.19 (−39.75, −12.63; P<0.001) |
| Sensitivity analysis 3** | −79.39 (−125.66, −33.12; P=0.001) | −27.05 (−40.60, −13.50; P<0.001) |
| Total brain volume (mm3) † | ||
| Preliminary model‡ | −3679.6 (−8829.2, 1469.9; P=0.161) | −2329.8 (−3818.8, −840.7; P=0.002) |
| Final adjusted model§ | −4363.4 (−9581.0, 854.1; P=0.096) | −3768.0 (−5278.8, −2257.2; P<0.001)* |
| Sensitivity analysis 1¶ | −3996.9 (−9392.7, 1399.0; P=0.147) | −4013.1 (−5608.1, −2418.0; P<0.001) |
| Sensitivity analysis 2# | −3983.2 (−11096.4, 3130.1; P=0.131) | −3672.7 (−5189.6, −2155.7; P<0.001) |
| Sensitivity analysis 3** | −3649.6 (−8831.1, 1531.9; P=0.168) | −3658.8 (−5175.6, −2141.9; P<0.001) |
Abbreviations: FIB-4, Fibrosis-4 score; mm3, cubic millimeters.
Results of multivariable linear regression reported as beta (95% CI; P value). Bolded cells indicate that P value for final adjusted model met criteria for significance after applying multiple comparison penalty for 3 outcomes. 41,982 completed MRI: 34,730 had data for inclusion in final models for WMH analysis, 35,949 for hippocampal volume, and 35,964 for total brain volume.
All MRI-derived measure were adjusted for total intracranial volume. White matter hyperintensity volume was log-transformed; exponentiation of regression coefficients is required to interpret the percent change in the outcome measure for each 1.0 unit increase in the exposure [(eβ−1)*100].
Adjusted for age at time of cognitive test, time from baseline to cognitive test, MRI acquisition site, sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and socioeconomic deprivation.
Additionally adjusted for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, smoking, and alcohol intake frequency.
Systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and total cholesterol were used as continuous covariates in placed of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, respectively, using final adjusted model covariates.
Excluded participants with any known liver condition at baseline, using final model covariates.
Excluded participants with any known neurological disorder, using final model covariates.