Modeling the natural history of fatty liver using lifestyle–related risk factors: Effects of body mass index (BMI) on the life–course of fatty liver

Abstract

BackgroundIncident fatty liver increases the risk of non–alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may lead to end-stage liver diseases, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For its prevention, modeling the natural history of fatty liver is useful to demonstrate which lifestyle-related risk factors (e.g. body mass index and cholesterol) play the greatest role in the life-course of fatty liver.MethodsModel predictors and their predictive algorithms were determined by prospective regression analyses using 5–year data from approximately 2000 Japanese men aged 20–69 years. The participants underwent health examinations and completed questionnaires on their lifestyle behaviors annually from 2012 to 2016. The life–course of fatty liver was simulated based on this participant data using Monte Carlo simulation methods. Sensitivity analyses were performed. The validity of the model was discussed.ResultsThe body mass index (BMI) and low–density/high–density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL–C/HDL–C) ratio significantly aided in predicting incident fatty liver. When the natural history of fatty liver was simulated using the data of participants aged 30–39 years, the prevalence increased from 20% to 32% at 40–59 years before decreasing to 24% at 70–79 years. When annual updates of BMI and LDL–C/HDL–C ratio decreased/increased by 1%, the peak prevalence of fatty liver (32%) changed by −8.0/10.7% and −1.6/1.4%, respectively.ConclusionsWe modeled the natural history of fatty liver for adult Japanese men. The model includes BMI and LDL‒C/HDL‒C ratio, which played a significant role in predicting the presence of fatty liver. Specifically, annual changes in BMI of individuals more strongly affected the life‒course of fatty liver than those in the LDL–C/HDL–C ratio. Sustainable BMI control for individuals may be the most effective option for preventing fatty liver in a population.

Identification of key target genes and pathway analysis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via integrated bioinformatics analysis

“…In addition, high triglycerides, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension are associated with incident fatty liver. Therefore, lifestyle modification is strongly recommended to prevent fatty liver ( 2 , 3 ). It is difficult to detect this problem in the earlier stages of the disease, and may thus further develop into advanced liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, bringing forth clinical challenges to the treatment of NAFLD ( 4 ).…”

Identification of key target genes and pathway analysis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via integrated bioinformatics analysis

“…In addition, high triglycerides, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension are associated with incident fatty liver. Therefore, lifestyle modi cation is strongly recommended to prevent fatty liver [2,3]. It is di cult to detect in the earlier stages of the disease, and may further develop into advanced liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which brings clinical challenges to the treatment of NAFLD [4].…”

Correction: Modeling the natural history of fatty liver using lifestyle–related risk factors: Effects of body mass index (BMI) on the life–course of fatty liver

“…Aizawa M, Inagaki S, Moriyama M, Asano K, Kakehashi M (2019) Correction: Modeling the natural history of fatty liver using lifestyle-related risk factors: Effects of body mass index (BMI) on the life-course of fatty liver. PLoS ONE 14(12): e0226059.…”