Abstract
In this study, the relationship between fatty liver disease (Group FL, 94 subjects) diagnosed by ultrasonography, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (IR) was assessed and compared with the data of a normal liver group (Group N, 319 subjects). In a comparison of Group FL to Group N, statistically significant values were obtained for fasting plasma glucose level (p<0.0001), triglycerids (p<0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001) and diastolic blood presure (p=0.018) in men, and triglycerids (p<0.0001) and HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) in women. The average value of the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was statistically higher in Group FL than in Group N in men (2.1±1.0 vs 1.2±0.1, p<0.0001). Also, in women, the average value of HOMA-IR was statistically higher in Group FL than in Group N (1.6±0.9 vs 1.1±0.5, p=0.008). In men, the percentage of IR was statistically higher in Group FL than in Group N (30% vs 4%, p<0.0001) and in women, the value of IR was statistically higher in Group FL than in Group N (18% vs 1%, p=0.01). These findings suggest that fatty liver disease diagnosed by ultrasonography may manifest insulin resistance and be closely related to metabolic syndrome.
