Association of serum uric acid level in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

ABSTRACT Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cause of fatty liver, occurring when fat is deposited (steatosis) in the liver not due to excessive alcohol intake. NAFLD is considered a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Worldwide prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is 38percent. Serum uric acid level has been suggested to be associated with factors that contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the association of serum uric acid level and body mass index (BMI) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Methods This observational study was conducted in subjects who attended the master health check up clinic of PSG hospitals. 50 subjects with NAFLD and 50 non fatty liver subjects were included in the study. NAFLD was diagnosed based on the abdominal ultrasonographic finding. Serum uric acid level and body mass index (BMI) was also measured. Uric acid quartiles were categorized into four groups and number of subjects who came under each group was noted.Results The BMI was compared between cases and controls. The mean Body Mass Index (kgm) for cases was 27.01 with SD 3.53 and for controls was 23.91with SD 3.11. Elevated BMI is associated with increased incidence of NAFLD with a significant p value of less than 0.05. The mean uric acid concentration (mgdl) for cases is 5.73with SD 1.57 and for controls is 4.69with SD 0.91. Increased serum uric acid concentration is associated with increased incidence of NAFLD with a significant p value of less than 0.05.Conclusion This study showed elevated BMI is associated with increased incidence of NAFLD. Serum uric acid levels are significantly associated with NAFLD and high uric acid levels showed high incidence of NAFLD compared to low serum uric acid level.