Association of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Patients: An Egyptian Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Non-Alcholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) share common risk factors, such as reduced physical activity, and pathophysiological mechanisms including oxidative stress, low grade inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. COPD severity is also recognized as an independent risk factor of NAFLD. Interestingly, the literature reports a higher prevalence of all-cause liver disease in patients with COPD, but only a small number of patients with NAFLD. Therefore, the specific links between NAFLD and COPD need to be confirmed and further evaluated. Aim of the Work The aim of the study is to determine the possible association between Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at outpatient clinics at Ain Shams Hospital during a Period 1 year. This study was performed on 60 Egyptian Patients divided into two groups as follow: Group 1:40 Patients diagnosed with COPD (Patients diagnosed by history of disease, smoking history and A ration of post bronchodilator FEV1 10 FVC of less than 70% of the predicted value). Group2: 20 Normal Healthy People (Control Group) Results There was no statistically significant difference with p-value >0.05 between both groups as regards age and sex, which indicated proper matching between groups. The present study showed that there was a statistically significant difference with p-value <0.05 between study groups as regards obstructive sleep apnea with high percentage of obstructive sleep apnea among cases. On the other hands, there was no statistically significant difference with p-value >0.05 between both groups as regards smoking and hypertension. The current study showed that there was no statistically significant difference with p-value >0.05 between study groups as regards systolic blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference and BMI. On the other hand, there was a statistical significance difference with p-value <0.05 with higher mean of diastolic blood pressure among cases. Conclusion This study showed that NAFLD is associated with COPD. Physicians should be aware of possible liver comorbidities in COPD patients and that extrahepatic disease in NAFLD patients may vary more than previously thought. Further studies concerning the biochemical and metabolic mechanisms of NAFLD and COPD are required.