Open AccessThyroid‐stimulating hormone is an independent risk factor of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Author(s) -
Tahara Kazuki,
Akahane Takemi,
Namisaki Tadashi,
Moriya Kei,
Kawaratani Hideto,
Kaji Kosuke,
Takaya Hiroaki,
Sawada Yasuhiko,
Shimozato Naotaka,
Sato Shinya,
Saikawa Soichiro,
Nakanishi Keisuke,
Kubo Takuya,
Fujinaga Yukihisa,
Furukawa Masanori,
Kitagawa Koh,
Ozutsumi Takahiro,
Tsuji Yuuki,
Kaya Daisuke,
Ogawa Hiroyuki,
Takagi Hirotetsu,
Ishida Koji,
Mitoro Akira,
Yoshiji Hitoshi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
jgh open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 2397-9070
DOI - 10.1002/jgh3.12264
Subject(s) - subclinical infection , medicine , fatty liver , euthyroid , body mass index , endocrinology , risk factor , thyroid , gastroenterology , thyroid function , disease
Background and Aim Hypothyroidism might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The association of subclinical hypothyroidism with NAFLD has been inconsistent. The relationship of NAFLD with thyroid function parameters and subclinical hypothyroidism was determined. Methods This cross‐sectional study included 70 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 70 controls with euthyroidism matched according to gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). NAFLD was diagnosed via abdominal ultrasonography. The association between NAFLD and subclinical hypothyroidism was analyzed. Results The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than in those with euthyroidism. Multivariate analysis showed that subclinical hypothyroidism was an independent risk factor of NAFLD adjusted by metabolic‐related factors, such as BMI, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) was an independent risk factor of NAFLD adjusted by the same metabolic‐related factors, but free thyroxine (FT4) was not a risk factor. The FIB‐4 index, a noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than in those with euthyroidism. Compared with patients with euthyroidism, the proportion of the FIB‐4 index ≥2.67 was significantly higher, and the proportion of the FIB‐4 index <1.30 was lower in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusions TSH elevation even within the euthyroid range is an independent risk factor of NAFLD and may influence the progression of liver fibrosis, even with a normal FT4 level.