Research Article Details

Article ID: A06279
PMID: 32943747
Source: Sci Rep
Title: Difference in lifestyle and metabolic profile of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with raised alanine amino-transferases between obese and non-overweight subjects.
Abstract: A significant proportion of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asian sub-continent are non-overweight and may have different underlying risk factors, lifestyles and metabolic profiles. Seven hundred fifty patients of NAFLD with raised alanine-amino-transferase (ALT) were divided into non-overweight and obese group based on their body mass index (BMI). Detailed dietary and lifestyle history were obtained through questionnaires and a detailed assessment of metabolic profile and liver stiffness was done. Normal BMI (<&#8201;23&#160;kg/m2) was found in 6.6% patients, of which 69.5% had raised ALT. Though the intake of dietary fat and exercise pattern were not different amongst these groups, yet the amount of aerated drinks was higher in obese subjects (12&#8201;&#177;&#8201;17 vs. 7&#8201;&#177;&#8201;7.5 p&#8201;=&#8201;0.005). Serum low-density lipoprotein (111&#8201;&#177;&#8201;25.6 vs. 127.7&#8201;&#177;&#8201;32.7 p&#8201;=&#8201;0.04) and insulin resistance based on HOMA-IR&#8201;>&#8201;2 were significantly higher in obese group (4.1&#8201;&#177;&#8201;0.36 vs. 2.0&#8201;&#177;&#8201;0.15 p&#8201;=&#8201;0.001). Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia were prevalent in 12% and 25% non-overweight patients respectively. Metabolic syndrome was more common in obese subjects. In addition, magnetic resonance elastography showed higher mean liver fat in the obese group with similar hepatic fibrosis. Non-overweight patients with NAFLD had lower insulin resistance and prevalence of dyslipidaemia at similar dietary and exercise pattern.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72306-x