Abstract
Objective To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods A cohort study was performed among individuals who had physical examination at Beijing Hospital medical examination center during 2009. A total of 732 subjects without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 30-60 years old, were selected. Subjects were divided into 4 groups (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) according to serum uric acid level. The incidence of NAFLD in each group in 2013 were observed. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and imaging examinations were determined. Cumulative incidence of NAFLD was compared between each group and effect of baseline serum uric acid on new-onset NAFLD was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results The cumulative incidence of NAFLD increased in conjunction with the increase of baseline serum uric acid in 4 groups (Q1 8.70%, Q2 13.04%, Q3 19.23%, Q4 32.97%, χ2=37.865, P<0.05). Logistic regression showed that the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was increased along with elevated levels of serum uric acid. Subjects in the Q2, Q3, Q4 groups showed an increased risk of NAFLD, relative risks were 1.575 (0.807-3.074); 2.580 (1.329-4.701); 5.164 (2.838-9.397), compared to those in Q1 group. Moreover, after adjustment for baseline factors (e.g. Age, sex), risk of NAFLD remained higher, with odds ratio at 1.234, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions Serum uric acid was found to be correlated with the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Serum uric acid appeared to be an independent risk factor for NAFLD. Key words: Fatty liver; Uric acid; Cohort studies
Published Version
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