Comparison of Male Employees with and without Fatty Liver Disease as Diagnosed by Abdominal Ultrasonography during a Periodic Medical Examination

Abstract

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to clarify test values, subjective symptoms, and lifestyle characteristics of male employees diagnosed with fatty liver disease through abdominal ultrasonography during a periodic medical examination, and to improve health guidelines to prevent the occurrence of fatty liver disease in the occupational setting.
Methods: The subjects were 216 male employees who underwent abdominal ultrasonography during a periodic medical examination conducted at a manufacturing company in Tokyo. The subjects were divided into two groups, those with (fatty liver group) and without (non-fatty liver group) fatty liver disease. The lifestyle characteristics and other data obtained during the medical examinations of both groups were compared.
Results: With respect to medical data, the fatty liver group (n=114) had a significantly higher percentage of subjects with increased body mass index, abdominal circumference, and other blood parameters than the non-fatty liver group (n=102). With respect to symptoms, the fatty liver group had a significantly higher percentage of subjects who were aware of changes in their weight. With respect to lifestyle, the fatty liver group had a significantly higher percentage of subjects who did not exercise for 30 minutes at least twice per week for more than 1 year. In the fatty liver group, 31 subjects (31.6%) were provided with specific counseling after their “Information Level” was gauged.
Conclusion: It is important for those with fatty liver disease to confirm their test values, have health guidance on a regular basis, and learn about exercises that can be continued on a long-term basis. In addition, even in those subjects with fatty liver disease with a hierarchy of “Information Level”, the need for health guidance to an individual or group approach was observed.