{
  "abstract": "Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations between different subtypes of Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and carotid plaque, and to evaluate the independent association of the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index with carotid plaque risk. Methods: Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations of MAFLD subtypes and the FIB-4 index with carotid plaque. Two covariate‑selection strategies were adopted: confounders for MAFLD‑subtype analyses were chosen based on clinical considerations, while subgroup‑analysis confounders were screened using a univariable p < 0.10 threshold. Separate adjusted models were constructed disentangle the independent association of the composite FIB-4 score from its individual components. Results: A total of 15,544 participants were included. After multivariable adjustment, lean MAFLD demonstrated an independent association with carotid plaque (OR=1.444), and its point estimate was numerically higher than those for diabetes-related MAFLD (OR = 1.354) and overweight/obesity-related MAFLD (OR = 1.172), although the confidence intervals overlapped. The FIB-4 index demonstrated a significant association with carotid plaque across all MAFLD subtypes (all p < 0.05) in models excluding its individual constituent components (OR range: 1.401–2.227). Conclusion: Lean MAFLD is independently associated with carotid plaque. The FIB-4 index, a readily accessible noninvasive marker, shows consistent associations with carotid plaque across all MAFLD subtypes.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of General Practice, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, China",
    "Department of International Outpatient, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Hangzhou, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Guanqun Chao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ailing Lin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Tianxiang Mai"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5vmreqff840ya.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0343781",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "5vmreqff840ya",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343781",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Body fluids/Blood/Platelets"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Cellular types/Animal cells/Blood cells/Platelets"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Body fluids/Blood/Platelets"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Body fluids/Blood/Platelets"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Cardiology/Cardiovascular medicine/Cardiovascular diseases/Cardiovascular disease risk"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Diagnostic medicine"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Diagnostic medicine/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Endocrinology/Endocrine disorders/Diabetes mellitus/Type 2 diabetes"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Gastroenterology and hepatology/Liver diseases/Fatty liver"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Gastroenterology and hepatology/Liver diseases/Liver fibrosis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Cardiovascular diseases/Cardiovascular disease risk"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Metabolic disorders/Diabetes mellitus/Type 2 diabetes"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Radiology and imaging/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Imaging techniques/Diagnostic radiology/Ultrasound imaging"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-05",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5vmreqff840ya.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-06T12:20:42Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0343781",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343781"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:diagnostic radiology",
      "subfield": "imaging"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:nutrition",
      "subfield": "nutrition"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:anatomy",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Lean MAFLD as an independent risk factor for carotid plaque: The value of FIB-4 index in subgroup analysis",
  "title_text": "Lean MAFLD as an independent risk factor for carotid plaque: The value of FIB-4 index in subgroup analysis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T12:20:24Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5vmreqff840ya",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}