Global burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019

Hongzhan Tian; Kexin Zhang; Zongguang Hui; Fangbing Ren; Yanhui Ma; Fang Han; Xiaodong Sun; Chengxia Kan; Ningning Hou

doi:10.1016/j.clinre.2022.102068

Global burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2023 Jan;47(1):102068. doi: 10.1016/j.clinre.2022.102068. Epub 2022 Dec 10.

Authors

Hongzhan Tian¹, Kexin Zhang¹, Zongguang Hui¹, Fangbing Ren², Yanhui Ma², Fang Han², Xiaodong Sun¹, Chengxia Kan³, Ningning Hou⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
² Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
³ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China. Electronic address: fykanchengxia@wfmc.edu.cn.
⁴ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China. Electronic address: ningning.hou@wfmc.edu.cn.

PMID: 36513252
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2022.102068

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing epidemic linked to metabolic disease and is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease. We, therefore, designed the study to analyze the global and regional burden of NAFLD from 1990 to 2019.

Methods: We collected data on NAFLD from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019, aiming to conduct a systematic assessment of the changes and trends in NAFLD in 204 countries. Secondary analysis of NAFLD was conducted using age-standardized rates (ASRs) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) to show the changing trends and development characteristics. Data statistics and visualization were executed with the R program.

Results: Globally, incidence, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of NAFLD all showed an upward trend. Between 1990 and 2019, the incidence of NAFLD increased by 95.4%, from 88,177 to 172,330 cases. Meanwhile, the ASIR of the middle SDI region had the highest increase, followed by the low-middle SDI region. Of all countries, the most incident cases were in China, which accounted for approximately 23.6% of NAFLD. China was also the country with the largest cases of deaths and DALYs. And behavioral risk, metabolic factors, smoking and high fasting plasma glucose were the critical risk factors associated with the mortality and DALYs of NAFLD.

Conclusion: NAFLD has become a considerable health burden in many countries. Therefore, we should control the risk factors of NAFLD and take corresponding measures to achieve its early prevention and treatment.

Keywords: Age-standardized incidence rates; Estimated annual percentage changes; Global burden; Incidence; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

MeSH terms

Global Burden of Disease
Humans
Incidence
Metabolic Diseases*
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / epidemiology
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
Risk Factors