A family history of type 2 diabetes as a predictor of fatty liver disease in diabetes-free individuals with excessive body weight.

Abstract

Comprehensive screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may help prompt clinical management of fatty liver disease. A family history, especially of diabetes, has been little studied as a predictor for NAFLD. We characterized the cross-sectional relationship between a family history of type 2 diabetes (FHT2D) and NAFLD probability in 1185 diabetes-free Apulian (Southern-Italy) subjects aged > 20 years with overweight or obesity not receiving any drug or supplementation. Clinical data and routine biochemistry were analysed. NAFLD probability was defined using the fatty liver index (FLI). A first-degree FHT2D was assessed by interviewing subjects and assigning a score of 0, 1, or 2 if none, only one, or both parents were affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study population featured most females (70.9%, N = 840), and 48.4% (N = 574) of the sample had first-degree FHT2D. After dividing the sample by a FHT2D, we found a higher BMI, Waist Circumference (WC), and diastolic blood pressure shared by FHT2D subjects; they also showed altered key markers of glucose homeostasis, higher triglyceride levels, and worse liver function. FLI scores were significantly lower in subjects without a first-degree FHT2D. After running logistic regression models, a FHT2D was significantly associated with the NAFLD probability, even adjusting for major confounders and stratifying by age (under and over 40 years of age). A FHT2D led to an almost twofold higher probability of NAFLD, regardless of confounding factors (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.89). A first-degree FHT2D acts as an independent determinant of NAFLD in excess weight phenotypes, regardless of the age group (younger or older than 40 years). A NAFLD risk assessment within multidimensional screening might be useful in excess weight subjects reporting FHT2D even in the absence of diabetes.

• Authors: Giovanni De Pergola, Fabio Castellana, Roberta Zupo, Sara De Nucci, Francesco Panza, Marco Castellana, Luisa Lampignano, Martina Di Chito, Vincenzo Triggiani, Rodolfo Sardone, Gianluigi Giannelli
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 24084 (Dec 16 2021) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34916558 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Body Mass Index
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (complications, genetics)
• Female
• Forecasting
• Humans
• Italy
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Medical History Taking
• Middle Aged
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (etiology)
• Overweight (complications)
• Probability
• Risk Assessment
• Waist Circumference
• Young Adult