Incidence and recovery of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among residents aged 65 years old and above in Xinqiao Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze the incidence, recovery rate and associated factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among residents aged 65 years old and above in Xinqiao Community of Songjiang, Shanghai, and to provide basic data for further efficient community management.MethodsData of annual geriatric physical examination program for residents aged 65 and above were collected in Xinqiao Community, Songjiang from 2016 to 2022. Those residents who participated twice or more were included in this analysis. Data were collated into longitudinal form. For each participant, data of the first physical examination was used as baseline, and each subsequent examination was taken as follow-up. Incidence and recovery rate of NAFLD were calculated. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the associated factors and their changes with the onset and recovery of NAFLD.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 11 983 residents participated in physical examinations, of which 8 644 participated twice or more, and 8 154 had no history of excessive alcohol consumption. B-ultrasound showed that there were 5 267 residents without NAFLD and 2 887 with NAFLD at baseline. After a median follow-up of 3.3 years, the incidence density of NAFLD in this population was estimated to be 11.5 per 100 person-years, and the recovery density was 23.4 per 100 person-years. The incidence density of NAFLD was negatively associated with age, and positively associated with baseline BMI, abdominal obesity, high fasting blood glucose, and high triglycerides. The recovery density was negatively associated with baseline BMI and abdominal obesity. Compared with those with normal BMI at both baseline and follow-up, those with persistent obesity showed the highest risk of NAFLD (males: HR: 3.19, 95%CI: 2.16-4.70; females: HR: 3.34, 95%CI: 2.46-4.54) and the lowest potential of recovery (males: HR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.42-0.82; females: HR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.44-0.77). Persistently high triglycerides were also associated with a higher risk of developing the disease.ConclusionResidents aged 65 years old and above in Xinqiao, Shanghai had a higher incidence and recovery rate of NAFLD. Women, being obese and having hyperlipidemia are at a higher risk for the development and persistence of NAFLD.

Keywords

• community
• geriatric physical examination
• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• incidence
• recovery