High levels of serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese people: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity have become one of the most common chronic diseases, and the global prevalence is increasing year by year. Both are accompanied by hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). At present, there are many predictors of NAFLD. Exploring the relationship between hs-CRP and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese people will be helpful for risk prediction and clinical screening in high-risk populations. Objective To explore the relationship between levels of serum hs-CRP and the presence of NAFLD in non-obese people. Methods A total of 6558 participants who underwent physical examination from March 2017 to November 2017. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to analyze the risk factors associated with NAFLD. Results This study including 4240 males and 2318 females ranging from 20 to 94 years. In 1396 patients with NAFLD, the prevalence rate was 21.3%, among which 1056 (24.9%) males and 340 (14.7%) females had NAFLD. The prevalence of NAFLD was much higher in males compared to females (χ 2 = 93.748, P < 0.001). In the nonalcoholic fatty liver group, various factors including hs-CRP, age, WC, BMI, systolic blood pressure and blood pressure diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher than those in the control group. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that hs-CRP was an independent risk factor for NAFLD, even after adjusting for relevant variables. Conclusions The prevalence of NAFLD increases with the level of hs-CRP in both men and women who are non-obese. Hs-CRP levels are an important risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese individuals.

Keywords

• Hypersensitive C-reactive protein
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Inflammation
• Non-obese people
• Cross-sectional