The value of neck circumference (NC) as a predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

AimsTo analyze the correlation between neck circumference (NC) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and compare the predictive value of NC for NAFLD with that of other simple anthropometric measures and other biochemical profiles.Methods2761 subjects, undergoing a medical check-up at the Changhai Hospital between October 01, 2012 and November 30, 2012, were recruited to the study. NC, other simple anthropometric measures, and biochemical profiles were analyzed.ResultsNC in NAFLD subjects with or without elevated ALT were 38.94 ± 2.62 cm and 37.21 ± 3.06 cm respectively, which was significantly higher than that in subjects with other metabolic disorders (NC: 35.33 ± 3.03 cm) and in normal controls (NC: 32.60 ± 2.37) (both P < 0.001). NC in women with NAFLD increased by 1 cm and fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) increased by 1.87 mIU/L and 1.43, respectively. Compared with other anthropometric measures, neck circumference-height ratio (NHtR) had a significant impact both on the incidence of NAFLD. After adjustment for sex, abdominal obesity and other influencing factors, the incidence of NAFLD still tended to positively correlate with NC. Optimal cut-off points of NC and NHtR for predicting NAFLD in males were 37.25 cm and 0.224, respectively, and such points in females were 32.90 cm and 0.208, respectively.ConclusionNC was wider in NAFLD patients than in healthy subjects and other metabolic disorder sufferers. NC and NHtR could be used as simple predictive tools for NAFLD.

The Correlation of Neck Circumference and Insulin Resistance in Nafld Patients

“…In this context, neck circumference (NC) consists of a rapid, viable and low cost evaluation. The use of NC as an anthropometric indicator not influenced by variations in certain health conditions, that cause abdominal distension, for example, or by respiratory movements, reinforces the use of this measure as an indicator that provides consistent results to predict the deposition of subcutaneous fat (8) in the upper region of the body, and with the liver fat deposit, consequently, with NAFLD (8,9) .…”

“…In order to evaluate the relationship between NC and NAFLD, a study by Hu et al (9) evaluated 2.761 chinese and identified that patients with NAFLD with an alteration in glutamic pyruvic transaminase presented NC of 38.94±2.62 cm and patients without alteration presented NC of 37.21±3.06 cm.…”

MTP genetic variants associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver in metabolic syndrome patients

“…Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a worldwide epidemic and one of the most important global health issues. 25 NAFLD is associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), including obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Therefore, NAFLD is considered part of MS. 26 , 27 , 28 Several genes have been identified as potential candidates in the pathogenesis and progression of fatty liver, genes involved in mechanisms of liver injury and genes influencing lipid metabolism like microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP).…”

Neck Circumference May Be a Better Alternative to Standard Anthropometric Measures

“…It has been suggested that fat in the neck may be more similar to visceral fat, which is more strongly related with cardiometabolic risks compared to subcutaneous fat [ 9 ]. An increase in neck circumference has even been found to be an independent predictor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [ 20 – 22 ]. Although studies have shown associations between neck circumference and components of metabolic syndrome, more studies directly comparing neck circumference with other anthropometric measures are needed, as neck circumference is not included in standard guidelines and practices and is not generally included in research studies or clinical assessments [ 23 , 24 ], even in situations when waist circumference may not be feasible or meaningful.…”