AI Article Synopsis
- NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) is becoming more common in Asia, affecting individuals with lower body mass indices (BMIs) and presenting different clinical characteristics compared to other populations.
- A comprehensive review of studies involving over 2.2 million people found that the average age of individuals with NAFLD was around 52 years, with many from Southeast Asia being notably younger, and one-third of these individuals were classified as nonobese despite having the disease.
- The findings suggest that using abnormal ALT levels or BMI as screening criteria for NAFLD might not be effective in this Asian population, highlighting significant regional differences in the disease's clinical profiles.
Article Abstract
Introduction: NAFLD is increasingly prevalent in Asia, where people suffer more metabolic comorbidities at a lower body mass index (BMI), suggesting potential differences in their clinical profile. Therefore, we attempted to characterize the clinical profile of Asians with NAFLD via a meta-analytic approach.
Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from January 1, 2000, to January 17, 2019. Two authors independently reviewed and selected 104 articles (2,247,754 persons) that identified NAFLD in Asians and reported relevant data, especially BMI and ALT, and excluded individuals with other liver disease and excessive alcohol consumption. Individual patient-level data were obtained from seven cohorts in Asia to complement meta-analyzed data.
Results: Overall, the mean age was 52.07 (95% CI: 51.28-52.85) years, with those from Southeast Asia (42.66, 95% CI: 32.23-53.11) being significantly younger. The mean BMI was 26.2 kg/m2, higher in moderate-severe versus mild hepatic steatosis (28.3 vs. 25.7) patients and NFS ≥ -1.455 versus <-1.455 (27.09 vs. 26.02), with 34% having nonobese NAFLD. The mean ALT was 31.74 U/L, higher in NFS < -1.455 versus ≥-1.455 (33.74 vs. 27.83), though no differences were found by obesity or steatosis severity. The majority of males (85.7%) and females (60.7%) had normal to minimally elevated ALT (1-1.5 × 95% ULN). Individual patient-level data analysis (N = 7,668) demonstrated similar results.
Conclusion: About one-third of Asians with NAFLD were nonobese, and the majority did not have markedly elevated ALT. Therefore, abnormal ALT or BMI is not recommended as a criterion for NAFLD screening in this population. Additionally, there were significant differences in the clinical profiles of NAFLD among the different regions of Asia.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9808705 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000521662 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a mendelian randomization study in European and East Asian populations.
Front Genet
December 2024
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China.
Background: Numerous observational studies have shown a potential association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, causality is unclear. This study utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) genetic data to explore the causal relationship between MASLD and GERD in European and East Asian populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenetic Risk, BMI Status, BMI Change Patterns, and the Risk of Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Enzyme Elevation in Chinese Adults.
Nutrients
December 2024
Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Whether an increased genetic risk of steatotic liver disease (SLD) can be offset by maintaining a healthy weight remains unknown. We aimed to clarify the associations among the body mass index (BMI) and its change patterns with SLD and assess whether genetic susceptibility can modify these associations in Chinese people. A total of 10,091 and 6124 participants from the Health Omics Preventive Examination (HOPE) Program were enrolled in cross-sectional and follow-up analyses, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Strategies: Major Guidelines and Screening Advances.
Cancers (Basel)
November 2024
Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Background/objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with prognosis and treatment outcomes that are significantly influenced by the stage at diagnosis. Early detection through regular surveillance is crucial for improving patient outcomes, especially in high-risk groups such as those with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B. Geographic variations in HCC risk factors, including viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), have led to the development of different international surveillance guidelines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic Manganese Neuro-Toxicity in a Patient With Cirrhosis and the Role of Iron-Deficiency Anaemia.
Cureus
December 2024
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, GBR.
Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) are prone to complications associated with impaired liver functioning. This coupled with iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) can predispose them to multiple comorbidities. We present an interesting case of a 69-year-old woman with a background history of liver cirrhosis due to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with frequent travels to Bangladesh, a southeast Asian country known for having high levels of manganese (Mn) in water for domestic use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPNPLA3 and SAMM50 variants are associated with lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Asian population.
Ann Hepatol
December 2024
Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- Lean adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) face a higher risk of metabolic syndrome compared to lean individuals without the disease, prompting research into their clinical and genetic characteristics in Asian groups.
- A study involving 602 lean NAFLD patients and 1652 lean controls identified key genetic factors (rs738409 in PNPLA3 and rs3761472 in SAMM50) linked to increased NAFLD risk, even after accounting for body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome.
- The findings highlight that these gene variations are significant predictors of fatty liver in lean populations, offering important insights for future research and potential health interventions.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!