ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As the metabolic syndrome is increased, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increased. In recent studies, metabolic syndrome is related to serum uric acid. And some authors reported the association of uric acid and NAFLD. We have studied the association of serum uric acid and NAFLD. METHODS: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 3,430 subjects out of 6,731 individuals who had visited the Health Promotion Center at the National Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital for the purpose of a regular check-up from January 2005 to April 2008. We excluded who showed evidence of more than moderate alcohol consumption, hepatitis B or C, or severe hepatic dysfunction. RESULTS: Among 3,430 participants, 1,775 subjects (51.7%) were diagnosed with NAFLD and 1,655 subjects (48.3%) were control. Age, BMI, triglyceride, fasting glucose, uric acid were greater in the patients with NAFLD than in the controls. The severity of NAFLD is related to uric acid. When uric acid is divided in 4 groups, elevation of uric acid is associated with risk for NAFLD. This relationship is showed in similar pattern when adjusting for age, sex, BMI, triglyceride, fasting glucose. The uric acid elevation of 1mg/dL is associated with the increase of 1.11 fold in risk for NAFLD. CONCLUSION: The risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is related to uric acid. And the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with uric acid.