Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetics – prevalence and predictive factors in a multiracial hospital clinic population in <scp>M</scp>alaysia

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim There is currently no published study comparing prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ) and associated factors among diabetics of different ethnicity in the A sia‐ P acific region. Methods Cross‐sectional study of consecutive patients in the D iabetic C linic in U niversity of M alaya M edical C entre. The G lobal P hysical A ctivity Q uestionnaire and a semiquantitative food‐frequency questionnaire were used to assess physical activity and dietary intake, respectively. Diagnosis of NAFLD was ultrasound‐based and following exclusion of significant alcohol intake. Results Data for 399 patients were analyzed (mean age 62.3 ± 10.5 years, 43.1% men). The racial distribution was C hinese 43.6%, I ndian 33.1%, M alay 22.3%, and others 1.0%. The prevalence of NAFLD was 49.6%. On univariate analysis, factors associated with NAFLD were age &lt; 65 years, race, obesity, central obesity, glycated hemoglobin ≥ 7.0%, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Patients with low physical activity were more likely to have NAFLD (odds ratio [ OR ] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [ CI ] = 1.06–2.63, P = 0.020). The prevalence of NAFLD was highest among M alays (60.7%), followed by I ndians (51.5%), and lowest among C hinese (42.0%) consistent with higher prevalence of central obesity and higher percentage calorie intake from fat in the former groups of patients. On multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with NAFLD were central obesity ( OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.29–3.75, P = 0.004) and elevated serum ALT level ( OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.21–3.25, P = 0.007). Conclusions NAFLD was seen in half of a cohort of diabetic patients and was independently associated with central obesity and elevated serum ALT level. Prevalence of NAFLD was different and paralleled the difference in prevalence of central obesity and in percentage calorie intake from fat among the different ethnic groups.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• University Malaya Medical Centre MY
• University of Malaya MY

Related Publications