Subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study of a random population sample aged 18 to 65 years

• Main Authors: Ludwig, Ulla, Holzner, Daniela, Denzer, Christian, Greinert, Artur, Haenle, Mark Martin, Oeztuerk, Suemeyra, Koenig, Wolfgang, Boehm, Bernhard Otto, Mason, Richard Andrew, Kratzer, Wolfgang, Graeter, Tilmann
• Other Authors: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Hypothyroidism; NASH; Cross-sectional studies; NAFLD; Thyroid
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/80931; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/38990
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common disorders of the liver worldwide. Recently, a correlation between thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD has been discussed. Objective of the present study was to investigate the association between thyroid dysfunction and hepatic steatosis. Methods: Data from 2,445 subjects (51.7 % females) aged 18 to 65 years participating in a population-based cross-sectional study were assessed based on a standardized questionnaire and documentation of physical, biochemical and ultrasonographic findings. After application of exclusion criteria, a total of 1,276 subjects were included in the study collective. The influence of potential factors on the development of hepatic steatosis was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of hepatic steatosis in the study collective was 27.4 % (n = 349). The serum thyroxin (TT4) concentration in subjects with hepatic steatosis was reduced (p = 0.0004). Adjusting for age, or BMI, there was an increased prevalence of hepatic steatosis in subjects with reduced TT4 concentrations (p = 0.0143; p = <.0001). Conclusions: The findings of the present study confirm an association between both subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism and hepatic steatosis.