Fatty Liver & Diabetes Statistics in Korea: Nationwide Data 2009 to 2017
- Author:
Eugene HAN
1
;
Kyung-Do HAN
;
Yong-ho LEE
;
Kyung-Soo KIM
;
Sangmo HONG
;
Jung Hwan PARK
;
Cheol-Young PARK
;
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2023;47(3):347-355
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:This study investigated the changes of fatty liver disease prevalence in general Korean population.
Methods:This study analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2017 that included individuals aged 20 years or older who had undergone a medical health examination. Fatty liver disease was assessed using the fatty liver index (FLI). The disease severity was defined by FLI cutoff, ≥30 as moderate, and ≥60 as severe fatty liver disease.
Results:The prevalence of Korean adults aged 20 years or over with fatty liver disease (FLI ≥60) increased from 13.3% in 2009 to 15.5% in 2017 (P for trend <0.001). The increase in fatty liver disease prevalence was prominent in men (from 20.5% to 24.2%) and the young age (20 to 39 years) group (from 12.8% to 16.4%) (P for interaction <0.001). The prevalence of fatty liver disease was the highest in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, 29.6%) population compared to that of prediabetes or normoglycemia (10.0% and 21.8%) in 2017. The prevalence of fatty liver disease had statistically increased in individuals with T2DM and prediabetes (P for trend <0.001). Its prevalence increased more steeply in the young-aged population with T2DM, from 42.2% in 2009 to 60.1% in 2017. When applying a lower FLI cutoff (≥30) similar results were observed.
Conclusion:The prevalence of fatty liver disease in the Korean population has increased. Individuals who are young, male, and have T2DM are vulnerable to fatty liver disease.
