A recent cross-sectional study involving over 200 adults has found a correlation between the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and an increased prevalence of hypertension. The study aimed to provide insights into the association between hypertension and the severity of biopsy-proven NAFLD in adults with obesity, especially since previous research on this topic was limited and mainly focused on Asian and European populations.
Key findings from the study include:
- NAFLD affects about 25% of the global population, with up to 75% of individuals with obesity or diabetes and about 90% of those with class III obesity (BMI > 40) having NAFLD.
- The study revealed that hypertension prevalence was notably higher in participants with severe NAFLD compared to those with non-severe NAFLD (24.6% vs 13.0%).
- The association between hypertension and severe NAFLD was particularly strong in adults with obesity who did not have metabolic syndrome (MetS).