Prevalence and risk factors of fatty liver disease in young and middle-aged population: one center study in Southwestern China.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fatty liver disease has become common hepatic disease not only in western countries but also in developing countries in Asia-Pacific area. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of fatty liver disease as well as its correlation with metabolic syndrome in young and middle-aged population. METHODS: Data were collected from check-up center at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in 2011. Relationships of fatty liver disease and age, body mass index, and metabolic syndrome were determined. Logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors for fatty liver disease. RESULTS: Data of 18 676 subjects (mean age 40.55 ± 9.94 ranging from 18 to 59) were analyzed. The prevalence of fatty liver disease was 22.0% and increased along with age, body mass index, and the presence and severity of metabolic syndrome. In logistic regression, living area was significantly associated with fatty liver in total population. Male, overweight and obese, waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.5, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, high triglyceride, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L were common independent risk factors for fatty liver disease in urban and rural areas. Older age and white blood cell over 5.5 ×10(9) /L were related to fatty liver disease in urban area. Obesity was the most important factors in both areas. CONCLUSION: Fatty liver disease was prevalent in young and middle-aged population and mainly associated to multiple metabolic disorders.

The associations of high birth weight with blood pressure and hypertension in later life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The 'fetal origin hypothesis' suggests that metabolic diseases are directly related to poor nutritional status in early life. Thus, a high birth weight (HBW) may pose a lower risk than normal birth weight. Overweight and overnutrition are among the most widely recognized risk factors of metabolic diseases. To explore the possible effects of HBW on blood pressure and hypertension, a systematic review was performed. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies. The outcomes included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and hypertension. We included all of the studies that assessed the differences in outcomes for children aged >1 year between those born with normal birth weight (birth weight between 2500 and 4000 g or between the 10th and 90th percentiles for their gestational age) and those born with HBW (birth weight4000 g or 90th percentile for their gestational age). The outcomes were analyzed descriptively and by conducting a meta-analysis. Thirty-one studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean difference in blood pressure and the relative risk of hypertension between individuals with HBW and individuals with normal birth weight was inversely associated with age. SBP and DBP, as well as the prevalence of hypertension, were higher in younger children with HBW but lower in older adults with HBW compared with individuals with normal birth weight. The findings suggested that an individual with HBW is prone to hypertension and higher blood pressure during childhood. However, a 'catch-down' effect in the elevation of blood pressure is observed in subjects with HBW as they grow older. Thus, older individuals with HBW are less susceptible to hypertension than those with normal birth weight.