Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome in Brazilian middle-aged and older adults

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex clinicopathological entity characterized by diffuse or focal fat accumulation in the hepatic parenchyma of patients who deny abusive alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess idiopathic NAFLD in community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults living in the Brazilian Federal District. Associations between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome and the whole syndrome were investigated. DESIGN AND SETTINGS:This was a cross-sectional study on 139 subjects aged 55 years or older. METHODS:NAFLD was diagnosed by means of clinical procedures, to exclude subjects with signs of liver disorders, abusive alcohol consumption and infl uence from hepatotoxic drugs. Phenotypes were graded based on ultrasound examination. Metabolic syndrome was defi ned using the NCEP ATP III criteria. Laboratory tests were performed to assist clinical examinations and defi ne the syndrome. RESULTS:NAFLD was present in 35.2% of the subjects. Taken together, the two most intense phenotypes correlated with increased serum fasting glucose, triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 25.9% of the sample. In addition to associating NAFLD with specifi c traits of metabolic syndrome, non-parametric analysis confi rmed the existence of a relationship (p < 0.05) between the steatotic manifestation and the syndromic condition. CONCLUSION:Compared with the literature, this study reveals greater frequency of idiopathic NAFLD among Brazilian middle-aged and older adults than is described elsewhere. The fi ndings also suggest that impaired glycemic metabolism coupled with increased fat delivery and/or sustained endogenous biosynthesis is the most likely physiopathogenic mechanisms underlying the onset of NAFLD in this population.

Associação do índice de massa corporal e da resistência à insulina com síndrome metabólica em crianças brasileiras

“…Other studies have observed multiple associations of cardiovascular risk factors in young cohorts [17][18][19][20] in a pattern that closely resembles the disorders observed in older-aged groups 21 . Studies on obesity and insulin resistance in children offer the potential to identify factors influencing the early development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes before their onset.…”

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Menopausal Women

“…Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the focal or diffuse accumulation of fat in the liver parenchyma of patients who deny abusive alcohol consumption (12) . It prevalence ranges from 3% to 24% in the general population (3) , and reaches 89.5% among severe obese patients (7) .…”

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

“…In fact, the prevalence of NAFLD among Hispanic Americans can vary accord ing to the country of origin 8,14,15 . In one study, investi gators compared the prevalence of NAFLD in Hispanic individuals of Mexican origin and Hispanic individuals of Dominican and Puerto Rican origins (Caribbean area).…”

“…Specifically, NAFLD prevalence (assessed by ultrasonography) for South America has been estimated to be ~30.45% (95% CI 22.74-39.4%) 1 . The majority of studies reporting the preva lence of NAFLD from South America have been performed in Brazil [15][16][17] . Nevertheless, in a study reported from Chile, the prevalence of NAFLD (diagnosed using…”