Sarcopenia linked to higher mortality rates in individuals with NAFLD, claims study
In a recent development, among a nationally representative sample of US adults, sarcopenia has been associated with a higher risk for all‐cause, cancer‐ and diabetes‐related mortality in individuals with NAFLD.The findings have ben put forth in the Liver International.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increasingly been recognized as the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the world, with an estimated prevalence of 25% globally.
In previous studies, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, function, and strength . Studies have showed that sarcopenia increases the risk of diabetes, dyslipidemia,
cardiovascular disease , and liver disease .NAFLD and sarcopenia share key pathogenetic pathways, including insulin resistance, chronic systemicinflammation, and vitamin D deficiency.However, mortality in the setting of NAFLD‐related sarcopenia remains undefined. Therefore, a team of researchers undertook a study with the aim to determine the all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality from sarcopenia among adults with NAFLD in the United States (US).
For the study design,11,065 individuals in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were studied and linked mortality through 2015 was analyzed. NAFLD was diagnosed based on presence of ultrasonographic hepatic steatosis without other known liver diseases. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess all‐cause mortality and cause‐specific mortality, and hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for known risk factors.
Data analysis brought forth the following key facts.
- During a median follow‐up of 23 years or more, sarcopenia was associated with increased all‐cause mortality (HR 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11‐1.44).
- Only in individuals with NAFLD, sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk for all‐cause mortality, while this association was absent in those without NAFLD.
- Individuals with both sarcopenia and NAFLD had a higher risk for all‐cause mortality (HR 1.28 95% CI 1.06‐1.55) compared with those without sarcopenia and NAFLD.
- Furthermore, sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk for cancer‐ and diabetes‐related mortality among those with NAFLD.
- This association was not noted in those without NAFLD.
For the full article follow the link: https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.14852
