Association between visceral adiposity index and chronic diarrhea: A cross-sectional study of the NHANES 2005-2010

Background Obesity is recognised as a significant risk factor for chronic diarrhoea (CD). Moreover, the use of body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of obesity in relation to CD remains controversial. Furthermore, the relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and the risk of CD has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between VAI and the risk of CD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between VAI and CD. In addition, a smooth curve-fitting algorithm was used to assess the possible non-linear dose-response relationship between VAI and CD, and subgroup analyses were also performed. Results Among the 5,699 participants in this study (mean age, 49.2 [17.9] years; 2,798 [49.1%] men), 424 (7.4%) reported CD, while 5,275 (92.6%) did not. After adjustment for potential confounders, VAI was associated with CD (OR, 1.12; 95%CI, 1.05–1.2; P = 0.001). Participants in the highest quartile (Q4; 2.44 to 12.73) of VAI had an adjusted OR for CD of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.2–2.24; P = 0.002) compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1; 0.09 to 0.92). Multivariable restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear relationship between VAI and CD (P for non-linearity = 0.762). Conclusions The results of this study demonstrated that the visceral adiposity index (VAI) is independently associated with the risk of chronic diarrhea (CD). VAI may serve as a promising indicator for assessing the risk of CD, offering valuable insights for its prevention and treatment guidance.