Association between grip strength and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between grip strength (GS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported by recent epidemiological studies, however, the results of these studies are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted to collect all available data and estimate the risk of NAFLD among people with low GS, as well as the risk of low GS among patients with NAFLD.MethodsWe systematically searched several literature databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to March 2022. These observational studies reported the risk of NAFLD among people with low GS and/or the risk of low GS among patients with NAFLD. Qualitative and quantitative information was extracted, statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test, and potential for publication bias was assessed qualitatively by a visual estimate of a funnel plot and quantitatively by calculation of the Begg’s test and the Egger’s test.ResultsOf the citations, 10 eligible studies involving 76,676 participants met inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of seven cross-section studies (69,757 participants) showed that people with low GS had increased risk of NAFLD than those with normal GS (summary OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.91–5.75). In addition, the meta-analysis of four studies (14,920 participants) reported that the risk of low GS patients with NAFLD was higher than those in normal people (summary OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.45–4.47).ConclusionIn this meta-analysis, we demonstrated a strong relationship between low GS and NAFLD. We found an increased risk of NAFLD among people with low GS, and an increased risk of lower GS among NAFLD patients.Systematic review registration[www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42022334687].

Lower muscular strength is associated with greater liver fat content and higher serum liver enzymes—“The Sedentary's Liver” The Study of Health in Pomerania

“…While there are several cross-sectional studies (Han et al, 2022) examining the association between HGS and NAFLD, only two pro- (Petermann-Rocha et al, 2022). Considering the strengths of that study with its longitudinal, prospective design with a large number of individuals, it is important to consider that the use of MRI in our analyses reported a significant association between lower HGS and the presence of hepatic steatosis already for the early stages of NAFLD in the general population.…”

“…In Western societies, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease (Byrne et al., 2015). NAFLD ranges from hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, with or without coexisting fibrosis and cirrhosis and increases the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (Byrne et al., 2015; Han et al., 2022). The global prevalence of NAFLD in adults is estimated to be around 25%–30% (Byrne et al., 2015) and increases up to ∼70%–90% among subjects who are obese or have type 2 diabetes (T2D) (Byrne et al., 2015; Younossi et al., 2016).…”

“…Muscular strength can be assessed by handgrip strength measurement (Markus et al., 2021a), which correlates well to the whole‐body muscle strength (Carbone et al., 2020). Growing evidence showed that muscular strength is inversely associated with prevalent cardiovascular diseases, overall mortality, and metabolic diseases (Carbone et al., 2020), including NAFLD (Han et al., 2022). However, to our knowledge, none of the studies included in the aforementioned review (Han et al., 2022) used magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) to diagnose NAFLD, which is considered a more accurate diagnostic method than ultrasound or hepatic steatosis index (Piazzolla et al., 2020).…”

“…Growing evidence showed that muscular strength is inversely associated with prevalent cardiovascular diseases, overall mortality, and metabolic diseases (Carbone et al., 2020), including NAFLD (Han et al., 2022). However, to our knowledge, none of the studies included in the aforementioned review (Han et al., 2022) used magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) to diagnose NAFLD, which is considered a more accurate diagnostic method than ultrasound or hepatic steatosis index (Piazzolla et al., 2020). Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze the association of HGS with LFC, detected by MRI‐PDFF, and serum liver enzymes in a population‐based cohort of German adults.…”

NUP85 alleviates lipid metabolism and inflammation by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…The disease progresses from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and finally to NASH-related cirrhosis 2 . Recently, the prevalence rate of NAFLD has risen considerably, impacting about 25% population in the world 3 , 4 , 5 . Studies have indicated that various factors, including inflammation and lipid accumulation, can induce diversified stress responses such as metabolic stress, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in NAFLD 6 .…”