Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in taxi drivers in Shenzhen, China / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related abnormal indicators among taxi drivers in Shenzhen, China, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease. MethodsA total of 1752 taxi drivers who underwent physical examination in Shenzhen Longhua District People’s Hospital from May 2018 to June 2019 were selected, and related indicators were measured, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and uric acid (UA). Liver ultrasound examination was also performed. The association between the prevalence rate of NAFLD and various biochemical parameters was analyzed. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsThe prevalence rate of NAFLD among the taxi drivers was 51.66% (905/1752), and male drivers had a significantly higher prevalence rate than female drivers［57.94% (770/1329) vs 31.91% (135/423), χ2=9.209, P=0.027］. The taxi drivers with NAFLD had significantly higher abnormal rates of BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure, FPG, and UA than those without NAFLD (χ2=5.894, 7.126, 8.045, 8.909, and 10.373, P=0.047, 0.035, 0.030, 0.028, and 0.018). The taxi drivers with a BMI of ≥28 kg/m2 had a significantly higher prevalence rate of NAFLD than those with a BMI of 24.0-27.9 kg/m2 or a BMI of ＜24 kg/m2 (male χ2=7.904 and 18.624, P=0.035 and 0.008; female χ2=8.613 and 31.635, P=0.029 and 0.006). The taxi drivers with working years of ＞15 years had a significantly higher prevalence rate of NAFLD than those with working years of 11-15 years, 5-10 years, and ＜5 years (male χ2=9.781, 13.546, and 18.052, P=0.024, 0.012, and 0.008; female χ2=7.052, 9.847, and 12.157, P=0.036, 0.023, and 0.016). ConclusionThere is a high prevalence rate of NAFLD among taxi drivers in Shenzhen, and male drivers have a higher prevalence rate than female drivers. The prevalence rate of NAFLD is associated with the abnormal rates of hyperlipidemia, obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperuricemia and the working years in driving.