Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Risk Factors in Elderly with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

This study aimed to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its predictors in older patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed repeated health surveillance data collected between 2009 and 2018 at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. MetS was defined based on the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (Taiwan revision). Participants were diagnosed with fatty liver disease using abdominal ultrasonography. The exclusion criteria included age <65 years, having viral hepatitis, frequent alcohol consumption, and pre-existing MetS. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for sex and age.

We enrolled 758 older participants; 457 (60.3%) with preexisting metabolic syndrome were excluded. We studied the remaining 301 participants (39.7%), with a mean age of 71.3 ± 5.4 years. The cumulative incidence of MetS was 43.5% after a mean follow-up period of 4.2 years; moreover, it was higher in women as well as in participants with diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia. After adjusting for age and sex, we identified the following risk factors for MetS: baseline high fasting plasma glucose levels (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.95), baseline hypertriglyceridemia (aOR = 2.26; 95% CI 1.15-4.47), and baseline large waist circumference (aOR =1.71; 95% CI 1.01-2.89). Furthermore, increased waist circumference and fasting plasma glucose levels at follow-up were significant risk factors.

There is a high incidence of MetS among older individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; further, women and individuals with diabetes or hypertriglyceridemia are at risk of developing MetS. Moreover, waist circumference and fasting plasma glucose levels were positively associated with the risk of MetS.