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Physical Activity is Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Significant Fibrosis measured by Fibroscan.

Physical Activity is Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Significant Fibrosis measured by Fibroscan. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Kim, D., Konyn, P., Cholankeril, G., Ahmed, A. 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: /Aims: Studies evaluating the association of 2018 Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Americans (PA Guidelines) with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and significant fibrosis/cirrhosis are needed. We evaluated the association of meeting PA Guidelines with NAFLD and significant fibrosis/cirrhosis by transient elastography in the US.METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using the 2017-2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. NAFLD and significant fibrosis/cirrhosis were defined by transient elastography in the absence of other causes of chronic liver disease. The detailed PA questionnaire assessed the leisure-time, occupation, and transportation-related PA. PA was categorized based on the PA Guidelines.RESULTS: Of the 4,304 subjects, leisure-time PA, which met the PA Guidelines (=150 minutes/week), was associated with 44% lower risk of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR]: 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.67). Subjects who reported 1-2 times (150-299 minutes/week) or over 2 times (=300 minutes/week) the recommended amount of PA Guidelines had 40% (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41-0.90) and 49% (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.40-0.65) lower odds of NAFLD, respectively. Over 8 hours of sitting time had a 44% higher risk of NAFLD (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01-2.05), when we considered leisure-time PA and sitting time simultaneously. Over 2 times (=300 minutes/week) recommended amount of PA Guidelines for leisure-time PA had 59% (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.74) lower risk for significant fibrosis and 63% (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21-0.64) lower odds of cirrhosis.CONCLUSIONS: Meeting PA Guidelines for leisure-time PA has beneficial effects on NAFLD and over two times recommended amount of PA Guidelines had lower risk for significant fibrosis or cirrhosis.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.06.029

View details for PubMedID 34214678