Relationship between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Examiners of a Health Promotion Center in Kyeong-ki do

Ko, Eun Son; Shin, Jin Hee; Kang, Eun Young; Hwang, Yu Na; Seo, A Rum; Song, Sang Wook

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased and several studies have shown that there is an association between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study primarily was to determine the actual prevalence of NAFLD by ultrasonogram of the abdomen, secondly to catagorize NAFLD according to severity, thirdly to assess its relationship with metabolic syndrome according to the Asia-Pacific criteria, and finally to analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the severity of NAFLD.
METHODS
A total of 1,819 adult males and females were included in this study from December 2005 to May 2006 at a health promotion center in Kyung-gi do. An ultrasonographic evaluation of abdomen was conducted to evaluate NAFLD. The diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome was assessed as defined by the NCEP ATP III while abdominal obesity was assessed according to Asia-Pacific guidelines.
RESULTS
Of the 1,819 subjects (men 765, women 1,054), 802 were diagnosed with NAFLD by ultra sonogram. BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and ALT levels all affected NAFLD independently. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was increased in mild (40.8%) and moderate (57.8%) NAFLD groups. When odd ratio (95% CI) for NAFLD group was compared to the contrast group, there was an increased risk of metabolic syndrome with odd ratio of 8 (95% CI, 6.2~10.2).
CONCLUSION
NAFLD and its severity has a close connection with metabolic syndrome and also with each risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, assessment for concurrent metabolic syndrome among NAFLD patients is considered to be necessary.