Prevalence and factors associated with the presence of non alcoholic fatty liver disease in an apparently healthy adult population in primary care units

Abstract

Background: Fatty liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat vacuoles inside of the hepatocytes. Non alcoholic fatty liver is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipemia, the intake of certain drugs and with the so-called metabolic syndrome. However, there is little information on the clinical relevance of this disorder as a healthcare problem in the general population, since the studies published generally include a limited number of patients and the diagnosis is established on the basis of clear biochemical alterations and liver biopsy.

Birmingham and Lambeth Liver Evaluation Testing Strategies (BALLETS): a prospective cohort study

“…Nonetheless, the frequency of NAFLD (26%) identified in our study is within the wide range (14-34%) previously reported in general population studies carried out in Italy, 118 Spain, 120 Asia 121 and America. 122 The variation in reported frequencies may be influenced by ethnic diversity 122,130 and differences in study methodologies.…”

“…The prevalence of NAFLD has risen markedly to 14-34% of the general population in Europe, 119,120 Asia 121 and America 122 in recent years. Although patients with simple NAFLD are believed to have benign disease, there is now clear evidence that those who have progressed to NASH and fibrosis are at a much higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver failure and death.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in an adult population in Spain

“…Another limitation is the diagnosis of NAFLD by abdominal echography. Despite echography being a good diagnostic method, it is not useful for diagnosing liver fat when its presence represents less than 30% of the liver volume [4,5,8,9,15,36], or in cases of morbid obesity [37].…”

“…The protocol of the main characteristics of the study has been published earlier [15]. This was a transversal, multicentre study with a populational base of adult individuals ascribed to 25 primary healthcare centres in the area of Barcelonès Nord i Maresme (Catalonia, Spain).…”

Factors Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Adolescents

“…Nowadays NAFLD has become a major public health hazard worldwide. The prevalence rates range from 24% to 42% in Western countries and 5% to 40% in Asian countries [12][13][14]. Hispanics having the highest prevalence (45-58%), followed by Caucasians (33-44%) and African Americans (24-35%) [15][16].…”