Prevalence of and risk factors for fatty liver in a general population of Shanghai, China

Obesity and overweight in relation to liver disease mortality in men: 38 year follow-up of the original Whitehall study

“…Our finding of a positive relation between obesity and noncancer liver disease mortality accords with those from other population-based studies in which cirrhosis-related deaths (in prospective analyses) 15 or fatty liver disease (in cross sectional analyses) 13,14 were the outcomes of interest. The elevated risk of liver cancer mortality in obese men apparent herein also supports the findings of a recent meta-analysis of 10 published studies.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12] In the few general population-based surveys conducted, the prevalence of liver disease, particularly hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease), also appears to be higher in heavier people. 13,14 However, as has been highlighted, 15 interpretation of these findings is complicated by the issue of reverse causality. Thus, while it may be that obesity is indeed a risk factor for liver disease, it is equally plausible that liver disease may lead to weight reduction (through, for instance, the loss of muscle mass), thereby resulting in an underestimation of the importance of obesity as a risk factor, or weight gain (through, for instance, peripheral oedema), thereby leading to an overestimation of its role.…”

“…Thus, while it may be that obesity is indeed a risk factor for liver disease, it is equally plausible that liver disease may lead to weight reduction (through, for instance, the loss of muscle mass), thereby resulting in an underestimation of the importance of obesity as a risk factor, or weight gain (through, for instance, peripheral oedema), thereby leading to an overestimation of its role. Furthermore, with few exceptions, 13,14 these studies are based on clinical samples without normal weight comparison groups. Hence, it is less clear what influence, if any, obesity may have on liver disease in population-based studies of individuals who are initially free of the condition.…”

Global burden of NAFLD and NASH: trends, predictions, risk factors and prevention

“…As an exam ple, NAFLD prevalence in the populations of Chengdu (southwest China), Shanghai (east China), Guangdong (south China) and central China was 12.5%, 15.0%, 17.0% and 24.5%, respectively [45][46][47] . On the other hand, an ultrasonography study of 7,152 workers in Shanghai published in 2012 suggested that NAFLD prevalence was as high as 38.17% 48 .…”

“…2; see Supple mentary information S1,S2 (tables)) 45,49,50,56,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] . This manifestation of NAFLD deserves clinical attention as many physicians have a perception that lean NAFLD is more benign in nature than NAFLD in individuals who are obese.…”