Association between Sarcopenic Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Fibrosis detected by Fibroscan.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sarcopenic obesity share several pathophysiologic backgrounds. No prior studies have determined a plausible association between sarcopenic obesity and NAFLD and NAFLD-associated fibrosis. We aim to investigate the association between sarcopenic obesity and NAFLD, and NAFLD-associated fibrosis detected by transient elastography.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1,925 participants were identified. NAFLD was defined by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) scores and significant fibrosis (≥F2)/cirrhosis by liver stiffness measurements on transient elastography. Sarcopenic obesity was defined by appendicular lean mass and body fat.

RESULTS

Individuals with sarcopenic obesity had a significantly higher odds of having NAFLD [CAP score ≥263 dB/m, odds ratio (OR): 2.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.82-4.57, and CAP score ≥285, OR: 3.71, 95%CI: 2.24-6.14] after adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for socioeconomic status, lifestyle and behavioral risk factors, and metabolic conditions (CAP score ≥263, OR: 2.61, 95%CI: 1.51-4.50, and CAP score ≥285, OR: 3.31, 95%CI: 1.85-5.96). Sarcopenic obesity was also associated with higher odds of having NAFLD-associated significant fibrosis (OR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.03-4.80) in the multivariate model. While those with sarcopenic obesity had a higher prevalence of NAFLD-associated cirrhosis, this association did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenic obesity was independently associated with an increased risk of NAFLD and NAFLD- associated significant fibrosis independent of well-defined risk factors. Targeted interventions to improve sarcopenic obesity may reduce the risk of NAFLD and NAFLD-associated siginificant fibrosis.