The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome In Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND Some evidence, not in large study populations, suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) share common interactions. We aimed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD and MetS in a large population registered to Kavar Cohort Study center. We also assessed the role of each component of MetS in NAFLD existence. METHODS Data were obtained from 3415 volunteers who called and refereed to our center. Complete anthropometric and laboratory measurement and abdominal ultrasonography was done for these individuals to screen NAFLD and its grade. A questionnaire was also used to obtain information on demographical and medical history and alcohol consumption. MetS was defined in all participants based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) (NCEP/ATP-III) and criteria for clinical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in Iranian adults (CCDMIA). RESULTS Among the refereed individuals, 2980 peoples were aged ≥18 years with male to women ratio of 1:2.45. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound in 32.9% and 27.4% of men and women, respectively. MetS was detected in 65.9 and 64.6 of the patients with NAFLD (based on NCEP/ATP-III) and in 30.1% and 73.7% (based on CCDMIA) of men and women, respectively. There were no significant differences between two gender in none of the components (p>0.05). Although, OR for hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity were approximately high in CCDMIA criteria (0.9613 and 1.2082, respectively), the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION NAFLD was associated with MetS. However, it was not possible to determine whether NAFLD predating the development of MetS.