Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in regional Victoria: a prospective population-based study

To investigate the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its risk factors in regional Victoria.

Prospective cross-sectional observational study (sub-study to CrossRoads II health study in Shepparton and Mooroopna).

Four towns (populations, 6300-49 800) in the Goulburn Valley of Victoria.

Randomly selected from households selected from residential address lists provided by local government organisations for participation in the CrossRoads II study.

Age- and sex-adjusted estimates of NAFLD prevalence, defined by a fatty liver index score of 60 or more in people without excessive alcohol intake or viral hepatitis.

A total of 705 invited adults completed all required clinical, laboratory and questionnaire evaluations of alcohol use (participation rate, 37%); 392 were women (56%), and their mean age was 59.1 years (SD, 16.1 years). Of the 705 participants, 274 met the fatty liver index criterion for NAFLD (crude prevalence, 38.9%; age- and sex-standardised prevalence, 35.7%). The mean age of participants with NAFLD (61 years; SD, 15 years) was higher than for those without NAFLD (58 years; SD, 16 years); a larger proportion of people with NAFLD were men (50% v 41%). Metabolic risk factors more frequent among participants with NAFLD included obesity (69% v 15%), hypertension (66% v 48%), diabetes (19% v 8%), and dyslipidaemia (63% v 33%). Mean serum alanine aminotransferase levels were higher (29 U/L; SD, 17 U/L v 24 U/L; SD, 14 U/L) and mean median liver stiffness greater (6.5 kPa; SD, 5.6 kPa v 5.3kPa; SD, 2.0 kPa) in participants with NAFLD.

The prevalence of NAFLD among adults in regional Victoria is high. Metabolic risk factors are more common among people with NAFLD, as are elevated markers of liver injury.