Prediction of Metabolic Syndrome by Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Northern Urban Han Chinese Population: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and evaluate the value of NAFLD as a marker for predicting the risk of MetS in a large scale prospective cohort from northern urban Han Chinese population.Materials and MethodsA total of 17,920 MetS-free at baseline cohort members was included in the current study between 2005 and 2011. The baseline characteristics of the cohort were compared by NAFLD status at baseline, MetS status after follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the unadjusted or adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for NAFLD at baseline predicting the risk of MetS.Results2,183 (12.18%) new cases of MetS occurred between 2005 and 2011. In unadjusted model, HRs (95% CIs) for NAFLD predicting MetS was 3.65 (3.35, 3.97). After adjusting the confounding factors of age, gender, the metabolic factors, smoke and exercise, the HRs (95% CIs) was 1.70 (1.55, 1.87). Gender difference was observed, adjusted HRs (95% CIs) of NAFLD for predicting MetS were 2.06(1.72, 2.46) and 1.55(1.39, 1.72) in female and male population, respectively. Moreover, 163 participants developed MetS among participants without any MetS component at baseline, and its adjusted HRs was still significant, 1.87 (1.12, 3.13).ConclusionThe present study indicates that NAFLD is an independent risk factor for predicting the risk of MetS in northern urban Han Chinese population, and the people with NAFLD should initiate weight and dietary control to prevent the occurrence of MetS.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as trigger of cardiovascular and metabolic complication in metabolic syndrome

“…In an adjusted model for confounding factors, such as age, metabolic factors, smoke and exercise, the Hazard Ratios [HRs (95 % CIs)] of NAFLD for predicting MS are 2.06 (1.72, 2.46) and 1.55 (1.39, 1.72) in female and male populations, respectively. The authors conclude that NAFLD is an independent risk factor for predicting the risk of MS, and the patients with NAFLD should initiate weight and dietary control to prevent the occurrence of MS [33]. This finding corroborates the central role of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of MS, enhanced by the coexistence of fatty liver [34].…”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with an almost twofold increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Prospective studies examining the association between NAFLD and the risk of incident T2D are summarized in Supporting information Table S1, while those examining the association between NAFLD and the risk of incident MetS are reported in Supporting information Table S2.…”

“…Overall, 20 prospective cohort studies were retrieved, 12 of which were excluded from analysis based on the exclusion criteria of the study . Overall, eight cohort studies (five community‐based and three population‐based) were identified and included in the meta‐analysis (as schematically summarized in Fig. , Panel B).…”

Association of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Metabolic Syndrome Independently of Central Obesity and Insulin Resistance

“…Few prospective studies have indicated that NAFLD can predict a higher incidence of MetS515253. A recent meta-analysis of prospective studies has demonstrated that NAFLD is associated with a nearly two-fold increased in the incident risk of type 2 diabetes and MetS.…”