The Lancet: A meta-analysis of more than 100,000 people shows that 3 out of every 4 fat people have NAFLD!

The global burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) parallels
the increase in obesity rates around the world.
Although overweight and obesity status are considered effective indicators for NAFLD screening, the exact prevalence of NAFLD in this population remains unclear
.
The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in overweight and obese people
.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers searched Medline and Embase
from database creation to March 6, 2022, using search terms including but not limited to "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease," "overweight," "obesity," and "prevalence.
" Cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies published after 1 January 2000, written in or translated into English, eligible for inclusion; Pediatric studies were excluded
.
Articles were included if the number of NAFLD, NAFL, or NASH events in overweight and obese people could be extracted
.
Summary data is extracted from published reports
.
The primary outcomes were the prevalence of NAFLD, NAFL, and NASH in overweight and obese people, and the prevalence of fibrosis in overweight or obese patients with NAFLD
.
A meta-analysis
of proportions was performed using a generalized linear mixed model.
This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022344526).

This search found 7389 articles
.
One hundred and fifty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis
.
In the pooled analysis covering 101028 individuals, the prevalence of NAFLD in overweight people was 69.
99% (95% CI, 65·40 ~ 74·2; I2=99·10%), the prevalence of NAFL was 42.
49% (32·55 ~ 553·08;^I2=96·40%), and the prevalence of NASH was 33.
50% (28·38 ~ 39·04; I^).
2=95·60%)
。 Similar NAFLD was found in obese people (75.
27% [95% CI 70·90-79·18]; I =98·50%)，NAFL(43·05%[32·78-53·97]; I 2=96.
30%) and NASH (33.
67% [28.
45-39.
31]; ^I2 = 95·60%).

The prevalence of NAFLD in overweight people was highest in the Americas (75.
34% [95% CI: 67.
31 to 81.
93]; I²= 99·00%)
。 Clinically significant fibrosis (stages F2-4) was present in 20.
27% (95% CI, 11.
32 to 33.
62; I² = 93·00%) of overweight NAFLD patients, and 21.
60% (11·47-36·92; I²=95·00%) of obese patients with NAFLD, while 6·65% (4·35 ~ 10·01; ^I2=58.
00%) and 6.
85% (3.
85-11.
90; I2=90.
00%) of obese NAFLD patients had advanced fibrosis (stage F3-4).

This study summarizes the estimated global prevalence of NAFLD, NAFL, and NASH in overweight and obese people; These findings have important implications
for improving understanding of the global burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and supporting disease management in people at high risk of being overweight and obese.

Original source:

Jingxuan Quek,et al.
Global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in the overweight and obese population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, November 15, 2022

DOI:https://doi.
org/10.
1016/S2468-1253(22)00317-X