Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Parkinson Disease

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has presented as the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Parkinson disease (PD) is these most common non-demyelinizan neurologic disase and its incidence is steadily increasing in the world. Our study aims to analyze the prevalence of ultrasonography-proven NAFLD among the PD patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify PD patients who had at least two visits in the Liver Clinic from January 2017 to May 2018. Thus, 124 consecutive patients with PD was longitudinally screened for NAFLD which were diagnosed according to ultrasonographic criteria. Control subjects were selected from age-matched eldely subjects. Demographic and laboratory data, concurrent statin use and results of hepatobiliary ultrasonography were collected. Results: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence was significantly lower in the PD group than in the agematched control group (21.0% vs. 36.9%, p=0.014). In multiple logistic regression analyses using baseline factors, statin use, elevated HbA1c, baseline fasting glucose below than 100 mg/dL, and elevated ALT levels were independently associated with NAFLD (p=0.040, p<0.001, p=0.030, and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: While additional studies in large populations are needed to investigate the correlation between PD and NAFLD, further exploration of PD-related metabolic liver disease clinically appears warranted.