Independent association of HbA1c and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in an elderly Chinese population

Abstract

Abstract Background To investigate the association between serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an elderly Chinese population. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed among the 949 retired elderly employees of Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company Ltd., Ningbo, China. Results A total of 257 (27.08%) subjects fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD, and NAFLD patients had significantly higher serum HbA1c levels than controls (P vs. 25.20%; P P for trend P =0.026). Conclusions Our results suggest that serum HbA1c level is associated with NAFLD, and increased serum HbA1c level is an independent risk factor for NAFLD in elderly Chinese.

Keywords

• Fatty liver
• Glycosylated hemoglobin
• Elderly
• Obesity