[Serum indices of hepatic steatosis in indigenous Venezuelan adults of the Piaroa ethnic group]

Introduction: metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a condition characterized by hepatic steatosis (HS) of metabolic origin. To predict it, HS serum indices (HSSI) have been proposed and validated, whose performance in indigenous populations is unknown.

Objectives: to describe the variation of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) indicators according to four SHSI in indigenous Venezuelans of the Piaroa ethnic group, and to explore the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MAFLD in this population.

Methodology: non-experimental, descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study, with non-probabilistic and intentional sampling, in 75 indigenous Piaroas adults (18 to 65 years). The HSSI were used: FLI (Fatty Liver Index), HSI (Liver Steatosis Index), LAP (Lipid Accumulation Product) and VAI (Visceral Adiposity Index).

Results: FLI values were higher in men and LAP values in women. FLI, LAP and VAI were higher in individuals ≥ 40 years old. Individuals with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 showed higher FLI, HSI and LAP values compared to individuals with lower BMI. Depending on the applied HSSI, the frequency of NAFLD varied between 1.3% and 40.5%, while for MAFLD it was between 2.7 and 21.6%.

Conclusion: the increase in HSSI was associated with changes in CMR indicators compatible with the presence of fatty liver. The study of the metabolic profile of HS in the Piaroas indigenous people must be expanded, in order to design better focused prevention and therapeutic strategies