Introduction: Both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are important metabolic disorders especially in developing and developed countries. Also, it has been reported that NAFLD and MetS share common interactions. We aimed to determine the NAFLD and MetS prevalence in a large population and find the prevalence of MetS in NAFLD. Also, the other aim was to find the role of each component of MetS in NAFLD existence.
Methods: Data were obtained from 3415 volunteer subjects and they were subjected to a complete anthropometric and laboratory measurement and abdominal ultrasonography for existence of NAFLD and its grade. A questionnaire was also used to obtain information on demographical and medical history and alcohol consumption. MetS was defined in all participants based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) (NCEP/ATP-III).
Results: 2980 peoples were aged ³18 years and NAFLD was diagnosed in 32.9 and 27.4% of men and women, respectively. Among NAFLD patients, MetS was detected in 65.9 and 64.6 of men and women, respectively. There were no significant differences between two gender in none of components (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that NAFLD was associated with MetS, but, from this analysis it was not possible to determine whether NAFLD predating the development of MetS.