The metabolic score for insulin resistance index is associated with myocardial ischemia, with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease serving as an important bridge.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) and myocardial ischemia based on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and further examine whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a potential role in mediating these associations.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 1,242 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. The association between METS-IR and myocardial ischemia was analyzed using the logistic regression model. The mediating effect of NAFLD was evaluated through mediation analysis to explore the potential mechanism underlying the association between METS-IR and myocardial ischemia.

RESULTS

The final group of participants included 335 patients; 179 (53.4%) patients had myocardial ischemia. Overall, the mean age was 61.45 ± 10.20 years, 188 (56.1%) were men, and the mean body mass index was 24.69 ± 3.21 kg/m. Mean METS-IR was 2.40 ± 0.22 (range, 1.79-3.80). The results of the single-factor analysis showed that a per-SD increase in METS-IR was independently associated with myocardial ischemia (OR, 3.92; 95% CI: 1.38-11.08; =0.010). After adjusting for all interfering factors, METS-IR had no associations with myocardial ischemia. The results of the mediation analysis show that NAFLD is a complete mediator variable between MERSIR and myocardial ischemia.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence for the relationship between METS-IR and myocardial ischemia and highlights the important mediating role of NAFLD in this relationship.