Visceral Fat Area Is an Independent Risk Factor for Overweight or Obese Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Potential Living Liver Donors

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between hepatic steatosis (HS), determined by biopsy, and visceral adiposity, measured by computed tomography (CT), in overweight or obese potential living liver donors, and to investigate the risk factors for overweight or obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: This retrospective study included 375 overweight or obese (body mass index ≥23 kg/m²) potential living liver donors (mean age, 30.4 ± 9.5 years; 273 men) who underwent liver biopsies and abdominal CT examinations in 2017 and 2018. Anthropometry, laboratory parameters, body composition, and HS were assessed. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of overweight or obese NAFLD.

Results: Visceral fat area (VFA) was positively correlated with the degree of HS in men (r = 0.307; P < .001) and women (r = 0.387; P < .001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase (odds ratio [OR], 1.017; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001-1.033; P = .033) and VFA (OR, 1.015; 95% CI, 1.008-1.022; P < .001) were independent risk factors for overweight or obese NAFLD in men, and VFA (OR, 1.029; 95% CI, 1.011-1.047; P = .002) was an independent risk factor for overweight or obese NAFLD in women.

Conclusion: Visceral adiposity was positively correlated with the degree of HS in overweight or obese potential living liver donors. Additionally, visceral adiposity may be an independent risk factor for overweight or obese NAFLD in potential living liver donors.