Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis in a general population cohort from Argentina

Abstract

Introduction and ObjectivesSouth America is one of the regions with the highest rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of NAFLD in suburban Argentina. Patients and MethodsThe study involved a general community cohort of 993 subjects evaluated sequentially with a comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire, laboratory testing, abdominal ultrasound (US) and transient elastography with XL probe. NAFLD was diagnosed according to standard criteria. ResultsThe prevalence of NAFLD by the US was 37.2% (326/875) overall, 50.3% in subjects with overweight/obesity, 58.6% with hypertriglyceridemia, 62.3% with diabetes/hyperglycemia and 72.1% with all three risk factors. Male gender (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03–1.47, p = 0.029), age (50–59 years: OR 1.98, 95 CI 1.16–3.39, p = 0.013 and ≥60 years: OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.13–3.09, p = 0.015), BMI (25–29: OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.86–4.51, p<0.001 and ≥30: OR 9.57, 95% CI 6.14–15.20, p<0.001), diabetes/hyperglycemia (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05–2.61, p = 0.029) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.20–2.48, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of NAFLD. Among patients with steatosis, 22.2% (69/311) had ≥F2 fibrosis (overweight 25%, hypertriglyceridemia 32%, diabetes/hyperglycemia 34%). BMI (OR 5.22, 95% CI 2.64–11.74, p<0.001), diabetes/hyperglycemia (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.05–4.29, p = 0.04) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.03–3.68, p = 0.040) were independent predictors of liver fibrosis. ConclusionsThis general population study from Argentina showed a high prevalence of NAFLD. Significant liver fibrosis was present in 22% of subjects with NAFLD. This information adds to the existing knowledge of NAFLD epidemiology in Latin America.