Relationship between Serum Uric Acid Level and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Uygur

Objective To investigate the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and the relationship between serum uric acid(SUA) level and NAFLD in Uygur.Methods We conducted a questionnaire survey among 2 241 Uygurs(1 214 males and 1 027 females) who had physical checkups in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between July 2011 and July 2012.Body mass index(BMI),abdominal circumference,blood pressure,fasting plasma glucose,fasting plasma glucose,and SUA level were measured.Results The prevalence rates of NAFLD and hyperuricemia were 43.90%(984 /2 241) and 8.38%(188 /2 241),respectively.NAFLD patients had significantly higher SUA level than those without NAFLD 〔(320 ± 88) μmol / L vs.(254 ± 80) μmol / L,P 0.05〕.The prevalence rate of NAFLD was significantly higher in subjects with hyperuricemia than in those without(78.19% vs.40.83%,P 0.05).The increase of SUA level was associated with increased fasting plasma glucose,and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome,blood pressure elevation,hypertriglyceridemia,low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and central obesity(P 0.05).Multiple regression analysis showed that hyperuricemia was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD 〔odds ratio = 2.086,95% confidence interval(1.344,3.237) 〕.Conclusion SUA level is significantly associated with NAFLD,and elevated SUA level is an independent risk factor for NAFLD in Uygur ethnic group of China.