AUTHOR=Ma Xuan , Zhou Qingyi , Ma Chen , Sheng Jie , Jiang Xinghe , Gao Guanqi , Ji Baolan 

TITLE=Hepatic steatosis index as an independent predictor of hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1697412

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1697412

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundHypertension is a common comorbidity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and increases cardiovascular risk. Hepatic steatosis, a hallmark of metabolic dysfunction frequently observed in T2DM, may contribute to elevated blood pressure. The hepatic steatosis index (HSI) is a simple, non-invasive marker of liver fat, but its predictive value for hypertension in T2DM patients remains unclear.MethodsThis cross-sectional study retrospectively included 1,744 hospitalized T2DM patients at Linyi People’s Hospital from 2020 to 2023. Demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data were collected, and HSI was calculated. Patients were classified as hypertensive (n = 604) or non-hypertensive (n = 1,140) and further stratified by HSI quartiles (Q1–Q4). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between HSI and hypertension.ResultsPatients with hypertension had significantly higher HSI levels than those without (p < 0.05). Hypertension prevalence increased progressively across HSI quartiles, with the highest in Q4 (p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for potential confounders, HSI remained independently associated with hypertension (OR = 1.054; 95% CI: 1.025–1.085; p < 0.001).ConclusionHSI is independently associated with hypertension in T2DM and may serve as a practical tool for risk stratification. These findings underscore the link between hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular risk, and further studies are warranted to confirm causality and clinical utility.