Prevalence and factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Objective: To verify the prevalence and factors associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) among women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 53 patients with PCOS. The diagnosis of PCOS followed the Rotterdam criteria. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made through US showing hepatic steatosis, excluding significant alcohol consumption and chronic liver disease. The following variables were compared between the groups of women with and without NAFLD: age, race, anthropometric data, blood pressure levels, liver enzymes, glycemic and lipid profiles, total testosterone, presence of hirsutism, and metabolic syndrome (MS). Variables were compared between the groups using T-test, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests. Results: Among 53 patients with PCOS, 50.9% had NAFLD. The NAFLD group had higher weight (p=0.003), BMI (p=0.001), waist circumference (p≤0.001), fasting glucose (p=0.021), HbA1C% (p=0.028), triglycerides (p=0.023), AST (p=0.004), ALT (p=0.001), higher prevalence of MS (p=0.004), and lower levels of HDL cholesterol (p=0.043). The other variables did not differ between the groups. Both groups were predominantly of caucasian race, and there was no significant difference in age. Conclusion: The prevalence of NAFLD among patients with PCOS was 50.9%. Metabolic and hepatic enzyme abnormalities were more prevalent in this group compared to the group without the disease. Obesity tripled the prevalence of NAFLD.