Severe vitamin D deficiency linked to fatty liver: Study

Blida, Algeria: Results from a recent study have revealed a positive association between severe vitamin D deficiency and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study appears in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. Also, the authors quantified an an excess risk in women combining both metabolic syndrome (MS) and severe vitamin D deficiency. 

NALFD is a very common liver disorder and indicates a group of condition wherein there is accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. A non serious condition called fatty liver is the most common form of NALFD. Previous studies on the association between hypovitaminosis D and NAFLD have yielded conflicting results. Salam Bennouar, University Hospital center of Blida, Blida, Algeria, and colleagues, therefore, aimed to explore the individual and combined effect of hypovitaminosis D and MS on NAFLD in a cross-sectional study.

The study included 874 participants. The researchers used a sequential competitive immuno-fluoro-assay method for assessing 25(OH)D, and Fatty Liver Index (FLI) was used for NAFLD screening. The association between vitamin D status, MS and NAFLD was investigated using binary logistic regression and additive interaction. 

"We found a positive association between severe vitamin D deficiency and NAFLD," wrote the authors. "Moreover, an excess risk in women combining both MS and severe vitamin D deficiency was quantified."

Reference:

Bennouar, S., Cherif, A.B., Kessira, A. et al. Association and interaction between vitamin D level and metabolic syndrome for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Diabetes Metab Disord 20, 1309–1317 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-021-00857-5