Hypertriglyceridemia and Fatty Liver-2. Relationship of Biological and Biochemical Parameters to Fatty Liver with Particular Reference to Triglycerides-

To investigate the clinical significance of serum triglycerides, we analyzed the relationship between hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver. Subjects employed were 1, 792 males and 566 females who visited the Keio Health Counseling Center in 1987 and 1988. After recording the medical history and life-style, blood samples were drawn in the fasting state. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed by the same physician throughout the study period. Fatty liver was diagnosed when both bright liver and augmentation of hepato-renal contrast were observed concurrently by ultrasonography.The overall incidence of fatty liver was 14.0% (16.8% for males and 5.1% for females). Among other parameters, the incidence correlated positively with serum triglyceride levels. When the subjects were subgrouped according to the serum triglycerides: below 99mg/dl, 100-199mg/dl, 200-299mg/dl, 300-399mg/dl, 400-499mg/dl and over 500mg/dl, then incidence was 2.4%, 14.5%, 26.0%, 35.2%, 45.5% and 50.0% respectively. Thus, the incidence of fatty liver could be approximately estimated by dividing the serum triglyceride value with 10.