Dietary sodium intake in relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk: a case-control study

Abstract

Purpose Data on relationship between dietary intake of sodium and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk are scarce. This paper aims to find the possible association between sodium intake and NAFLD. Design/methodology/approach This is a case-control study on NAFLD patients proven by a gastroenterologist using Fibroscan, and age-matched controls. Dietary intakes were assessed using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Findings In the multivariable-adjusted model, after adjustment for potential confounding variables, participants in the highest tertile of sodium intake had a greater risk of developing NAFLD (OR= 2.42; 95% CI: 1.13–5.15) compared to those in the lowest tertile of sodium intake (p-value = 0.023). In sub-analysis, subjects with BMI ≥ 25 in the third tertile of sodium intake had higher risk of NAFLD compared to those in the lowest tertile of sodium intake [(OR: 3.95; 95% CI: 1.75–8.90), (p-value = 0.001)]. However, no significant association was found between tertiles of energy-adjusted daily sodium intake and NAFLD prevalence risk in participants with BMI < 25. Originality/value The findings revealed that higher sodium intake is related with a higher prevalence of NAFLD, an association that can be partly mediated through obesity.