Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Abnormal Liver Function Test in the Health Screen Examinees: the Relationship with Insulin Resistance

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the major causes of the elevation of aminotransferase when other causes of liver disease are excluded. Insulin resistance is an essential pathophysiologic factor in the development of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that there would be an association between the elevation of aminotransferase and metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 6,244 health screen exantinees (3,975 men, 2,269 women) with no evidence of viral hepatitis and alcohol abuse were enrolled in this study. We assessed the clinical characteristics using liver function test (LFT) and ultrasonography. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) was used as an index of insulin resistance. Results: According to the increment of HOMA, the prevalence of abnormal liver function significantly increased after adjustment with age, sex, and obesity (p