Elevated serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese undergoing a health checkup.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The question of whether elevated serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease evident on ultrasonography was investigated by longitudinal approach in Japanese undergoing a health checkup.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1,386 male and 3,453 female nondrinkers participating in health checkups in both 2000 and 2005 were included. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed for 1,042 men (51.4 +/- 11.2 years old) and 3,076 women (51.8 +/- 9.2 years old) to identify independent factors for newly developed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in 2005. Adjustment was made for age, body mass index, body mass index increase for 5 years, systolic blood pressure, triglyceridemia, fasting blood glucose, and smoking.

RESULTS

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride were significantly higher in the participants with elevated serum uric acid, with a significant increasing trend in relation to serum uric acid quartiles. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was newly diagnosed in 17.4% of males and 8.2% of females, respectively, in 2005. Serum uric acid adjusted for other factors was a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in both sexes and quartiles 3 and 4 had significantly elevated risks. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for one increment of serum uric acid were 1.31 and 1.11-1.56 in men and 1.30 and 1.10-1.53 in women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese undergoing a health checkup.