As shown in Fig. 2d, we observed that serum SHBG levels (log-transformed) decreased gradually with increased severity of hepatic steatosis in both females and males after adjustments for the variables [age, postmenopausal status (for females), household income, WHR, trunk fat, current smoking and drinking, physical activity, hypertension and diabetes, serum glucose, insulin resistance, TG, HDL-C, ALT, UA, testosterone and DHEAS levels] (both p -trend < 0.05). The gene discussed is SHBG; the disease is Hepatic steatosis.