The prevalence of metabolic risk factors among outpatients with diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Lithuania

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease; there is growing evidence that it is a hepatic manifestation of a metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of metabolic risk factors among patients with NAFLD.Material/MethodsOutpatients with NAFLD were recruited into the study. Family physicians recorded patients’ demographic and anthropometric data, leisure-time physical activity, concomitant diseases, and pharmacological treatment for NAFLD into standardized Case Report Forms.ResultsIn total, data on 798 patients were analyzed. Most patients were women and they were older than the men (mean age, 60.2±9.6 vs. 54.5±11.4 years; p<0.05). Metabolic risk factors (obesity, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia) were highly prevalent in the study patients, and these factors were more prevalent among women. There were no differences in the mean Body Mass Index (BMI), in the proportion of men or women with BMI >30 kg/m2 or central obesity in the 2 age groups (≤60 years and >60 years). Hypertension and diabetes were more prevalent among older men and women. Dyslipidemia was more common among older women. The level of leisure-time physical activity was lower in women and in older patients. The most frequently prescribed pharmacological agents were cytoprotective agents, lipid-lowering drugs, and antioxidants.ConclusionsMetabolic risk factors were highly prevalent among patients with NAFLD. Obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were more prevalent among women. The differences in the prevalence of hypertension seemed to be influenced by older age of women.

Comparison between the efficacies of curcumin and puerarin in C57BL/6 mice with steatohepatitis induced by a methionine- and choline-deficient diet

“…Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), commonly known as fatty liver, is a disease characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fats [triglycerides (TGs)] inside liver cells ( 1 ). Thus far, the prevalence of NAFLD has consistently increased with lifestyle changes ( 2 ). Steatohepatitis is histologically characterized by a significant accumulation of hepatic lipids and lobular necro-inflammation in NAFLD, which may be progressive and eventually induce liver fibrosis and cirrhosis ( 3 , 4 ).…”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with low HDL cholesterol and coronary angioplasty in patients with type 2 diabetes

“…The prevalence of NAFLD in the general population is around 20–30%, whereas among patients with type 2 diabetes it is up to 80% [ 1 , 2 ]. NAFLD is strongly correlated with metabolic syndrome, including visceral obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, or type 2 diabetes [ 1 – 5 ]. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is not entirely understood, but there is a great deal of evidence suggesting that NAFLD is actually a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome [ 1 – 4 ].…”