Prevalence of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in patients with Parkinson Disease

INTRODUCTION: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has presented as the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common non-demyelinizan neurologic disase and its incidence is steadily increasing in the world. Our study aims to analyze the prevalence of ultrasonography-proven NAFLD among the PD patients.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify PD patients who had at least two visits in the Liver Clinic from January 2017 to May 2018. Thus, 124 consecutive patients (the mean age 74,2±11,9years; 65 female) with PD was longitudinally screened for NAFLD which were diagnosed according to ultrasonographic criteria. Control subjects (65 subjects, mean age was 68±3.4 years; 35 female) were selected from age-matched eldely subjects. Demographic and laboratory data, concurrent statin use and results of hepatobiliary ultrasonography were collected. Patients with history of chronic liver disase, liver transplant, past alcohol use or not enough data to stage NAFLD were excluded. Data analyzed using Pearson’s chi-squared test with the Stata software.
RESULTS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence was significantly lower in the PD group than in the age -matched control group (21% vs. 36%, P<0.05). In multiple logistic regression analyses using baseline factors, statin use (P=0.04) and elevated Hb A 1 C (P<0.001), baseline fasting glucose below than 100 mg/dL (P=0.03), and elevated ALT levels (P<0.001) were independently associated with NAFLD.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: While additional studies in large populations are needed to investigate the correlation between PD and NAFLD, further exploration of PD -related metabolic liver disease clinically appears warranted.