Prevalence of and risk factors for fatty liver disease in a professional population of Wuhan, China

Dai, H.; Chu, L.; Song, S.; Li, W.; Zhang, L.; Wu, Z.; Zeng, J.; Duan, Q.

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2009.07.002

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Volume 123, Issue 8 , Pages 545-548, August 2009

Prevalence of and risk factors for fatty liver disease in a professional population of Wuhan, China

H. Dai
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 27 6309 4868.
- Two authors contribute to the article equally.
L. Chu
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
- Two authors contribute to the article equally.
S. Song
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
W. Li
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
L. Zhang
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Z. Wu
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
J. Zeng
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
Q. Duan
- Department of Epidemiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China

Received 19 February 2009; received in revised form 21 May 2009; accepted 9 July 2009. published online 12 August 2009.

Summary

Objectives

To explore the prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) and its risk factors in a cold steel-rolling mill in Wuhan, China.

Study design

A cross-sectional survey.

Methods

In total, 1174 subjects were investigated for FLD (596 exposed workers and 578 controls). FLD was determined by ultrasonography. Height, weight, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum triglyceride (TG) and serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were determined by routine laboratory methods.

Results

The prevalences of major diseases such as FLD (41.6%), hypertension (21.1%) and high serum TG (42.6%) were higher in the exposed workers than in the controls. The prevalence of FLD was highest among grinding roller workers (50.6%); this was almost four times as high as in the control group (14.7%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that all six types of work (zincing, shearing, tinning, operating grinding rollers, electrics and fitting), as well as high serum TG, high serum AST, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, higher body mass index (BMI) and drinking alcohol were risk factors for FLD.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of FLD was found among the exposed workers, and some risk factors, especially different types of work, were related to the prevalence of FLD. High serum TG, high serum AST, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, higher BMI and drinking alcohol were important risk factors for FLD.

Keywords: Fatty liver disease, Occupational risk factors, Prevalence