A case-control study on nutritional risk factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Indian population

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered an integral part of metabolic syndrome (MS). We aimed to explore the inter-relations of MS and dietary composition in subjects with and without hepatic steatosis and to identify the nutritional risk factors contributing to NAFLD.

In all 98 subjects with steatosis and 102 controls were selected for the study after screening 260 consecutive healthy individuals. Anthropometric and nutritional information, biochemical data and clinical profile were analyzed. Prevalence of MS was determined based on the consensus statement for diagnosis of MS for Asian Indians. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to predict the dietary risk factors in NAFLD.

Prevalence of MS was 44.9% among NAFLD cases and 25.5% among controls (P=0.003). Subjects with NAFLD had significantly higher values of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percent body fat, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure than controls. The total calorie intake, percent of carbohydrate and fat intake of NAFLD cases was significantly higher than controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed BMI (odds ratio 6.03 (95% confidence interval 3.26-11.14)), WC (5.49 (2.59-11.57)) and percent dietary fat intake (2.51 (1.99-3.31)) as independent nutritional risk factors in NAFLD.

In this study, there is a high prevalence of MS among subjects with steatosis and metabolic disorders were closely related to NAFLD. BMI, WC and percent fat intake are independent dietary risk factors in NAFLD. Decreased nutritional intake with restricted fat may constitute an important therapy in subjects with NAFLD.