Smoking is not associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between smoking and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study of a healthy population, carried out in a check-up unit of a university hospital in Mexico City. We enrolled 933 subjects, 368 current smokers (cases) and 565 persons who had never smoked (controls). Demographic, metabolic and biochemical variables were measured in the two groups. NAFLD was determined by ultrasound and metabolic syndrome according to ATPIII.


RESULTS
A total of 548 men (205 cases and 343 controls) and 337 women (114 cases and 223 controls) were included in the analysis. Statistical differences between cases and controls were observed only in high blood pressure prevalence (6.6% vs 11.3%, P < 0.05; cases and controls respectively), high-density lipoproteins (1.00 +/- 0.26 vs 1.06 +/- 0.28 mmol/L, P < 0.005), triglycerides (2.18 +/- 1.49 vs 1.84 +/- 1.1 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (11.3 +/- 9.3 vs 13.5 +/- 11.9 mm/h, P < 0.001). No differences were observed in the prevalence of NAFLD (22.27% vs 29.68%, P = NS) and metabolic syndrome (41.69% vs 36.74%, P = NS). Univariate analysis showed that smoking was not a risk factor for NAFLD (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.65-1.21).


CONCLUSIONS
No differences in NAFLD prevalence were observed between current smokers and nonsmokers, and furthermore, no differences were observed in heavy smokers (more than 20 packs/year), indicating that there is no relationship between smoking and NAFLD.
Chavez-Tapia
Norberto-C
NC
Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150, Col Toriello Guerra, Mexico City, Mexico. khavez@hotmail.com
Lizardi-Cervera
Javier
J
Perez-Bautista
Oliver
O
Ramos-Ostos
Martha H
MH
Uribe
Misael
M
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires