Leukocyte glucose index discriminates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease from type 2 diabetes: a finding independent of oral antidiabetic therapy A distinct marker for MASLD
Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench,
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2 Esfand 2026
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Page 1-9 (e12)
https://doi.org/10.22037/ghfbb.v19i01.3164
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the leukocyte glucose index (LGI) as a discriminator between patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to examine its association with the triglyceride-glucose index (TyGI) in both conditions.
Background: LGI is derived from fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and leukocyte count, both of which may fluctuate under pathological conditions. LGI has been proposed as a predictor of disease severity and mortality.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January 2024 to 1 September 2024 at the College of Pharmacy, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq. Patients with MASLD were randomly selected. The primary outcome was LGI, calculated from FPG and total leukocyte count.. The secondary outcome was TyGI.
Results: A total of 126 patients were included and divided into three groups. Group I included patients with risk factors related to MASLD (n = 25), Group II included patients with MASLD (n = 51), and Group III included patients with T2DM (n = 50). Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between Groups I and II, whereas Group III differed significantly from both Groups I and II. The median LGI value was significantly higher in Group III (1.53) than in Group I (0.793) and Group II (0.744) (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were observed between LGI and TyGI in Group II (r = 0.489, p < 0.001) and Group III (r = 0.705, p < 0.001). An LGI cutoff value of 1.167 significantly discriminated T2DM from MASLD, with a sensitivity of 86.1% and a specificity of 77.6%.
Conclusion: LGI may help distinguish MASLD from T2DM and is significantly associated with TyGI in both conditions.
- Leukocyte glucose index; metabolic dysfunction associated liver disease; type 2 diabetes mellitus, triglyceride glucose index, discrimination.
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References
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