Frequency and predictive factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver in patients with metabolic syndrome in Kurdistan province, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises a disease spectrum which includes variable degrees of simple steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Considering the increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD and their complications worldwide, and presence of few data in Iran, we conducted this study in Kurdistan province. Methods and Materials: In this descriptiveanalytic study 65 adults which were diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome in a previous population based study were reevaluated. Finally, 57 patients were assessed for presence of NAFLD by sonography and importance of risk factors in developing NAFLD. Results: In this study, 29.8 % of patients with metabolic syndrome had NAFLD. In those who had NAFLD; 100% had increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, while 88.2% had increased waist circumference and triglyceride (TG) levels. Hypertension was seen in 82.4% of patients. Aspartate aminotransferase (Ast), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) serum levels (52.9%) were not good predictors of fatty liver in patients with metabolic syndrome. BMI [odds ratio, 0.63 (95% CI, 0.39 to 0.99)] and ALT serum level[odds ratio, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.99)] can predict presence of NAFLD in the setting of metabolic syndrome (p= 0.05 and p=0.046, respectively). Conclusion: NAFLD can be detected in nearly one third of patients with metabolic syndrome. Increased BMI and ALT serum levels have predictive value for NAFLD in metabolic syndrome.