Fatty Liver & Diabetes Statistics in Korea: Nationwide Data 2009 to 2017

• Published in: Diabetes & metabolism journal Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 347 - 355
• Main Authors: Eugene Han, Kyung-do Han, Yong-ho Lee, Kyung-soo Kim, Sangmo Hong, Jung Hwan Park, Cheol-young Park
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한당뇨병학회 31.05.2023
• Subjects: Comorbidity; Diabetes mellitus; Epidemiology; Fatty liver; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; type 2
• ISSN: 2233-6079; 2233-6087

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.