Prevalence of Risk Factors for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients With Cryptogenic Cirrhosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the prevalence of risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in middle-aged (40-59 years) and elderly patients (≥60 years) with cryptogenic cirrhosis as compared to those with hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV) related cirrhosis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between August 2013 and December 2014, cases (cryptogenic cirrhosis) and controls (HBV/HCV cirrhosis) above 40 years of age were prospectively recruited and assessed for the cause and prevalence of risk factors for NAFLD.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen cases (male-74%; age 55 (40-74) years; median (range); Child's class A:B:C-46:38:16) and 59 controls (male-80%; age 55.5 (40-69) years; Child's class A:B:C-56:30:14) were enrolled. Obesity (53% v/s 39%, -0.081), diabetes mellitus (DM) (52% v/s 27%; -0.002), family history of DM (30% v/s 13%; -0.016), family history of Obesity (21% v/s 3.5%; -0.002) and metabolic syndrome (65% v/s 44%; -0.01) were more among cases than controls. Lifetime weight as obese was also longer in cases than in controls (5.9 ± 6.2 years v/s 3.2 ± 5.1 years, -0.002). On subgroup analysis, in elderly age group, DM (55% v/s 17%, -0.006), family history of DM (40% v/s 11%, -0.025), metabolic syndrome (76% v/s 44%, -0.017) and family history of obesity (19% v/s 0, -0.047) were more common in cases as compared to controls, where as in the middle-age group, family history of obesity was the only significant factor (22% v/s 5%, -0.025). Lifetime weight as obese was longer in cases than controls in both middle and elderly age groups.

CONCLUSION

Among middle-aged and elderly patients with cirrhosis, there was a higher prevalence of risk factors for NAFLD in those with cryptogenic cirrhosis, compared to those with HBV or HCV cirrhosis.