Prevalence of fatty liver disease and its risk factors in the population of South China.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the population-based prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) and its risk factors in Guangdong Province, China.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey with multiple-stage stratified cluster and random sampling of inhabitants over 7-year-old was performed in 6 urban and rural areas of Guangdong Province, China. Questionnaires, designed by co-working of epidemiologists and hepatologists, included demographic characteristics, current medication use, medical history and health-relevant behaviors, i.e. alcohol consumption, smoking habits, dietary habits and physical activities. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests and abdominal ultrasonography were carried out.


RESULTS
Among the 3543 subjects, 609 (17.2%) were diagnosed having FLD (18.0% males, 16.7% females, P > 0.05). Among them, the prevalence of confirmed alcoholic liver disease (ALD), suspected ALD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were 0.4%, 1.8%, and 15.0%, respectively. The prevalence rate (23.0%) was significantly higher in urban areas than (12.9%) in rural areas. After adjustment for age, gender and residency, the standardized prevalence of FLD in adults was 14.5%. Among them, confirmed ALD, suspected ALD and NAFLD were 0.5%, 2.3%, and 11.7%, respectively, in adults and 1.3% (all NAFLD) in children at the age of 7-18 years. The overall prevalence of FLD increased with age in both genders to the peak of 27.4% in the group of subjects at the age of 60-70 years. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in men than in women under the age of 50 years (22.4% vs 7.1%, P < 0.001). However, the opposite phenomenon was found over the age of 50 years (20.6% vs 27.6%, P < 0.05). Multivariate and logistic regression analysis indicated that male gender, urban residency, low education, high blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, serum triglyceride and glucose levels were the risk factors for FLD.


CONCLUSIONS
FLD, especially NAFLD, is prevalent in South China. There are many risk factors for FLD.
Zhou
Yong-Jian
YJ
Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
Li
Yu-Yuan
YY
Nie
Yu-Qiang
YQ
Ma
Jin-Xiang
JX
Lu
Lun-Gen
LG
Shi
Sheng-Li
SL
Chen
Min-Hu
MH
Hu
Pin-Jin
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005235:Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides