title: Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its relation to hypoadiponectinaemia in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoadiponectinaemia is an important risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, little is known about its role in the Chinese population. This study sought to assess the prevalence of NAFLD and its association with hypoadiponectinaemia in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in an urban Shanghai sample of 2201 participants age 50 years to 83 years (973 men, 1228 women). Hepatic ultrasonographic examination was performed for all participants. Serum adiponectin concentrations were measured by ELISA methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of NAFLD was 19.8% (16.0% in men, 22.8% in women). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in female than in male subjects (p < 0.001). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in NAFLD subjects than those in control subjects (p < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD progressively increased with declining adiponectin levels (p(for trend) < 0.001). The participants in the lowest adiponectin quartile had a significantly increased risk for acquiring NAFLD (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.72-3.15) after adjustment for potential confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Population-based screening suggests that NAFLD is highly prevalent in middle-aged and elderly people in Shanghai, particularly among women. Serum adiponectin level is negatively associated with NAFLD independently of potential cofounders, indicating that hypoadiponectinaemia may contribute to the development of NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetology at Fudan University, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xuanchun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Zi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Songhua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Renming
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hu