Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with insulin resistance in a young Hispanic population

Objective: To investigate whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) in a young Hispanic population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Bogotá, Colombia, during 2006 in 263 males from the Colombian Air Force (age range 29-54 years). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical determinations (glycemia, lipid profile, insulin, and HOMA-IR) were obtained in order to determine the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) criteria and insulin resistance in this population. In addition, ultrasound studies were performed to evaluate the presence of NAFLD. Results: NAFLD was detected in 26.6% (n= 70) of the subjects. Thirty four individuals had complete MS criteria (48.5%). The presence of NAFLD was associated with higher insulin levels (11.0±5.1 vs. 6.6±3.6, p= 0.001), and its prevalence increased from 11% (n= 8), to 24% (n= 17) to 64% (n= 45) from the lowest to the highest HOMA-IR tertile. Body mass index, triglycerides and subcutaneous and visceral fat were found to be independent predictors of NAFLD. Conclusions: These results suggest that NAFLD is associated with insulin resistance and extrahepatic adiposity in nondiabetic young Hispanic population.