Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with obesity, insulin resistance and increased serum levels of C-reactive protein in Hispanics

Riquelme A.; Arrese M.; Soza A.; Morales A.; Baudrand R.; Perez-Ayuso, RM; González R.; Alvarez M.; Hernández, V.; Garcia-Zattera, MJ; Otarola, F.; Medina, B.; Rigotti, A.; Miquel, JF; Marshall G.; et. al.

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder of the liver, which may progress to fibrosis or cirrhosis. Recent studies have shown a significant impact of ethnicity on susceptibility to steatosis-related liver disease. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of NAFLD among Chilean Hispanics as well as the clinical and biochemical variables associated with the disease. Methods: Population-based study among Chilean Hispanics. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made on the basis of ultrasound evidence of fatty liver and absence of significant alcohol consumption and hepatitis C virus infection. Results: A total of 832 Hispanic subjects were included. Ultrasound findings revealed diffuse fatty liver in 23% of the subjects. Variables associated with fatty liver in multivariate analysis were body mass index > 26.9 [odds ratio (OR) 6.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3-11.5], abnormal aspartate aminotransferase levels (OR 14; 95% CI 8.2-23.7), presence of insulin resistance as measured by homoeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (OR 3; 95% CI 1.8-4.8) and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) greater than 0.86mg/L (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.6-5.2). Among subjects with NAFLD, levels of hs-CRP were similar regardless of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Conclusions: Chilean Hispanics exhibit a high prevalence of NAFLD. Obesity, insulin resistance, abnormal aminotransferase levels and elevated hs-CRP were independently associated with the presence of NAFLD. ALT elevation underestimates the presence of ultrasonographical fatty liver, whereas hs-CRP is a sensitive independent marker of NAFLD, which may be useful for detecting fatty liver in the general population. © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard.

Más información

Título según WOS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with obesity, insulin resistance and increased serum levels of C-reactive protein in Hispanics
Título según SCOPUS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its association with obesity, insulin resistance and increased serum levels of C-reactive protein in Hispanics
Título de la Revista: LIVER INTERNATIONAL
Volumen: 29
Número: 1
Editorial: Wiley
Fecha de publicación: 2009
Página de inicio: 82
Página final: 88
Idioma: English
URL: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01823.x
DOI:

10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01823.x

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS