GENDER BASED ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL AND ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES WITH NAFLD –A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as an epidemic due to
increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic disease. Objectives: The study was undertaken to
analyze the gender wise anthropometric and clinical characteristics in NAFLD cases and healthy
controls and their association with NAFLD .Materials and Methods: A total of 160 Cases and
160 Controls with equal number of males and females in each group (n=80) were included. The
subjects fulfilled the inclusion criteria for either or cases or controls. Socio demographic
information, anthropometric measurements for BMI, WC, WHR WHtR, central (subscapular and
suprailiac) and peripheral skin folds (biceps and triceps), percent body fat and clinical parameters
(blood pressure)were recorded . Results: Males and females with NAFLD had significantly higher
central obesity, body circumferences, central and peripheral skin folds, body fat, percent body fat,
systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse in both genders with NAFLD
compared to the control group. Central obesity (WC, WHR and WHtR) were positively associated
with NAFLD in both the genders, the magnitude of risk was however higher in males versus
females. On regression analysis, waist circumference showed a positive and significant
association with NAFLD after adjustment with co-variables. The risk of NAFLD increased by 8
times when the WC was >80 cm for females/90 cm for males (p<0.001).Conclusion:
Anthropometric and clinical characteristics were significantly higher in both genders of NAFLD
cases versus controls. Central obesity showed a significant association with NAFLD. Waist
circumference was identified as a predictor of NAFLD