Fasting insulin to HDL-C ratio is correlated with MASLD severity in Chinese overweight/obesity: a cross-sectional analysis

Background The fasting insulin to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (FINS/HDL-C) is a newly identified insulin resistance (IR) marker. And the correlation between FINS/HDL-C and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has not yet been explored, our study investigated the association between FINS/HDL-C and MASLD severity.Methods This cross-sectional study included 330 participants with overweight/obesity and MASLD. Demographic information and biochemical indicators were collected, and IR markers including FINS/HDL-C, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C), and triglyceride glucose index (TyG), were calculated. MASLD severity was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) determined by FibroScan. The relationship between FINS/HDL-C and MASLD severity was evaluated and compared with that of other IR markers.Results Participants with higher CAP and LSM exhibited significantly higher FINS/HDL-C (P Conclusions Our findings suggest that FINS/HDL-C is associated with MASLD severity in overweight/obese individuals. It might serve as a valuable biomarker for MASLD risk stratification.