Prevalence and clinical characteristic of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among Kirgiz adults in Xinjiang / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the prevalence and characteristic of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among the ethnic Kirghiz adult in Xinjiang Province. Methods The study was conducted based on the national health checkup in Xinjiang province during 2018. A total of 19 843 participants of Kirghiz adults in Aheqi County, Xinjiang Uygor Autonomous Region were selected for physical examination, questionnaires, blood biochemical indicators detection (FBG, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, ALT and AST) and abdominal ultrasonography. A total of 1 396 patients diagnosed with NAFLD by abdominal ultrasonography were selected as the case group, and 4 188 non-NAFLD subjects matched in age, sex and region were selected as the control group at a ratio of 13. The clinical characters and risk factors of NAFLD patients were analyzed. Results The overall prevalence of NALFD in Kirghiz adults was 7.0%, 7.8% in male, and 6.2% in female (standardized to 6.8%, 7.5%, and 6.0%, respectively). The prevalence in male was higher than that in female (P<0.01). The prevalence of NAFLD in the obesity, diabetes, and hypertension group was significantly increased, which was 19.0%, 20.6% and 18.5%, respectively. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triglycerides, AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transamilase) in the NAFLD group were all higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.01). In the NAFLD group, 17.2% had another one metabolic disorder and 62.0% had another two metabolic disorders. Logistic regression analysis showed that waist circumference (OR = 4.08, 95%CI = 3.04~5.10), FBG (OR = 3.76, 95%CI = 2.86~4.93) and BMI (OR = 3.32, 95%CI = 2.16~4.38) were the main independent risk factors for NAFLD. Literacy (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.24~0.69) and physical activity (OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.45~0.96) were protective factors. Conclusion The prevalence of NAFLD in Kirgiz adults in Xinjiang is lower than the national average. More than half of NAFLD patients are comorbidity with at least two metabolic abnormalities. WC, FBG and BMI were the independent risk factors for NAFLD, however, literacy and physical activity were protective factors.