Serum 25(OH)D Levels and Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Nonobese and Lean Individuals

The impact of vitamin D deficiency on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk in individuals without obesity or insulin resistance has not been thoroughly evaluated. We aimed to identify whether low serum levels of 25(OH)D independently contribute to NAFLD risk in nonobese or lean individuals.

This study analyzed 241208 asymptomatic health check-up examinees who had abdominal ultrasonography. NAFLD risk was evaluated based on obesity status and serum 25(OH)D levels.

The overall NAFLD prevalence was 25.5%. Among the 178630 nonobese and 126909 lean participants, the prevalence rates were 13.4% and 6.7%, respectively. The multivariable adjusted odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence intervals (CI)] for the prevalence of NAFLD, comparing serum 25(OH)D levels of 10-19 and ≥20 ng/mL with <10 ng/mL, were 0.96 (0.93-0.99) and 0.80 (0.77-0.83), respectively. Among nonobese participants, the corresponding adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 0.94 (0.90-0.99) and 0.77 (0.73-0.81), respectively. Similar results were observed among lean participants, with those having a 25(OH)D level of ≥20 ng/mL demonstrating a significantly lower odds of NAFLD (adjusted OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70-0.83). Moreover, these results were consistent even among nonobese and lean individuals who showed no signs of insulin resistance.

Insufficient 25(OH)D levels independently increased the risk of NAFLD, suggesting its role in the NAFLD pathogenesis, regardless of obesity or insulin resistance status. Considering the established relationship between vitamin D deficiency and nonobese/lean NAFLD, maintaining adequate 25(OH)D levels may aid in preventing the development of NAFLD, even among nonobese or lean individuals.