Primary hypothyroidism was significantly more prevalent in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to controls (19.5% vs 8.5%, p<0.001).
Case-Control (n=256)
No
Is there a higher prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in patients with NAFLD compared to matched controls?
Patients with NAFLD have a significantly higher prevalence of primary hypothyroidism compared to matched controls, highlighting a potential metabolic link.
Absolute Event Rate: 19.5% vs 8.5%
p-value: p=<0.001
Introduction: There is a possible relationship between NAFLD and hypothyroidism. One suggested mechanism to explain this relationship is the well-known association between hypothyroidism and various metabolic syndrome components often present in the context of NAFLD. Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: A case-control study of 128 patients diagnosed with NAFLD by ultrasonographic findings without a history of thyroid disorders participated in this study, who attended Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia, Syria, during the period from May 2022 to July 2023, 128 age and gendermatched control subjects with normal liver on ultrasound, to compare the prevalence of primary hypothyroidism between the two groups. Results: Primary hypothyroidism was more prevalent among NAFLD patients by 19.5% compared to 8.5% in the controls, with a statistically significant difference (P-value: 0.001). The mean TSH value was higher in the NAFLD group compared to the controls (3.9 mui/l compared to 2.4 mui/l in the controls) with a statistically significant difference (P-value: 0.04); as for the average value of FT4, it was lower in the NAFLD group compared to the controls (1.10 ng/dl compared to 1.22 in the controls) with a significant statistical difference (P-value: 0.01). Conclusions: A higher prevalence of primary hypothyroidism was demonstrated in the NAFLD group, with both clinical and subclinical types, and this may indicate a relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD.
Aljundi et al. (Tue,) conducted a case-control in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) (n=256). Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease vs. Age and gender-matched controls with normal liver on ultrasound was evaluated on Prevalence of primary hypothyroidism (p=<0.001). Primary hypothyroidism was significantly more prevalent in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to controls (19.5% vs 8.5%, p<0.001).