We assumed that the association between PNPLA3 rs738409 and health services utilization might be mediated by hepatic steatosis, ALT, ferritin, the metabolic syndrome, waist circumference, BMI, triglycerides, HDL, systolic blood pressure, serum glucose or hbA1c (Table 3, models 3 to 13). The gene discussed is PNPLA3; the disease is metabolic syndrome.