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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2007; 13(47): 6419-6424
Published online Dec 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i47.6419
Prevalence of fatty liver disease and its risk factors in the population of South China
Yong-Jian Zhou, Yu-Yuan Li, Yu-Qiang Nie, Jin-Xiang Ma, Lun-Gen Lu, Sheng-Li Shi, Min-Hu Chen, Pin-Jin Hu
Yong-Jian Zhou, Yu-Yuan Li, Min-Hu Chen, Pin-Jin Hu, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province , China
Yong-Jian Zhou, Yu-Yuan Li, Yu-Qiang Nie, Sheng-Li Shi, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Municipal People’s Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510180, Guangdong Province, China
Jin-Xiang Ma, Department of Prevention Medicine, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510182, Guangdong Province, China
Lun-Gen Lu, Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by a Grant from Guangzhou Health Bureau Project, No. 2004-Z001
Correspondence to: Yu-Yuan Li, Department of Gastro-enterology and Hepatology, First Municipal People’s Hospital of Guangzhou, No. 1 Panfu Road, Guangzhou 510180, Guangdong Province, China. liyyliyy@tom.com
Telephone: +86-20-81048720 Fax: +86-20-81045937
Received: July 11, 2007
Revised: September 29, 2007
Accepted: November 18, 2007
Published online: December 21, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the population-based prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) and its risk factors in Guangdong Province, China.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey with multiple-stage stratified cluster and random sampling of inhabitants over 7-year-old was performed in 6 urban and rural areas of Guangdong Province, China. Questionnaires, designed by co-working of epidemiologists and hepatologists, included demographic characteristics, current medication use, medical history and health-relevant behaviors, i.e., alcohol consumption, smoking habits, dietary habits and physical activities. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests and abdominal ultrasonography were carried out.

RESULTS: Among the 3543 subjects, 609 (17.2%) were diagnosed having FLD (18.0% males, 16.7% females, P > 0.05). Among them, the prevalence of confirmed alcoholic liver disease (ALD), suspected ALD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were 0.4%, 1.8%, and 15.0%, respectively. The prevalence rate (23.0%) was significantly higher in urban areas than (12.9%) in rural areas. After adjustment for age, gender and residency, the standardized prevalence of FLD in adults was 14.5%. Among them, confirmed ALD, suspected ALD and NAFLD were 0.5%, 2.3%, and 11.7%, respectively, in adults and 1.3% (all NAFLD) in children at the age of 7-18 years. The overall prevalence of FLD increased with age in both genders to the peak of 27.4% in the group of subjects at the age of 60-70 years. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in men than in women under the age of 50 years (22.4% vs 7.1%, P < 0.001). However, the opposite phenomenon was found over the age of 50 years (20.6% vs 27.6%, P < 0.05). Multivariate and logistic regression analysis indicated that male gender, urban residency, low education, high blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, serum triglyceride and glucose levels were the risk factors for FLD.

CONCLUSION: FLD, especially NAFLD, is prevalent in South China. There are many risk factors for FLD.

Keywords: Fatty liver disease, Prevalence, Epidemiology, Risk factors