Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver function/injury markers with metabolic syndrome components in class III obese individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver function/injury markers with components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in class III obese individuals.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 144 patients with class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 40 kg/m²). MS was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, by determining the lipid profile, blood glucose and basal insulin. Liver function/injury markers were also quantified. Insulin resistance (IR) was measured by HOMA-IR and NAFLD diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical calculations were performed by SPSS version 13.0. The association was assessed by the Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests, with a level of significance set at 5%.


RESULTS
There was a significant association between the diagnosis of MS and NAFLD (χ² = 6.84, p = 0.01). As for the diagnostic components of MS, there was a positive and significant association between HDL-C (p = 0.05), waist circumference (p < 0.05) and hypertension (χ² = 4.195, p = 0.041) with NAFLD. HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) also showed a positive association with liver disease.


CONCLUSIONS
A positive and significant association between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome in class III obese individuals was observed, suggesting the need and importance of monitoring these components for NAFLD screening.
Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. gabrielavc@gmail.com
Gabriela Villaça
GV
Chaves
Daiane Spitz de
DS
Souza
Silvia Elaine
SE
Pereira
Carlos José
CJ
Saboya
Wilza Arantes Ferreira
WA
Peres
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers