Burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in subclinical hypothyroidism

Abstract

Abstract Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the burden and predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken from January 2017 to December 2017 in 69 patients with SCH, visiting our tertiary care centre. Data collected included the demographic features, physical examination findings, laboratory investigations (free triiodothyronine [T3], free thyroxine (T4), serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibodies, fasting plasma glucose, liver function test, fasting lipid profile and total serum cholesterol) and findings from the abdomen ultrasound and the electrocardiogram. Results: SCH was evident in 60.9% patients with SCH studied. Males showed a significantly high burden of NAFLD than females (52.4% Vs 47.61%; P = 0.005). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), body weight, waist circumference (WC) and waist–hip ratio (WHR) showed a positive association with NAFLD in subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Our study provides significant evidence of a positive association between subclinical hypothyroidism and NAFLD. AST, ALT, WC and WHR may be considered the predictors of NAFLD in SCH.