Assessment of Liver Enzymes and the Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Among Information Technology (IT) Professionals.

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing public health concern, particularly among individuals with sedentary occupations. Liver enzyme alterations are often early indicators of hepatic steatosis. The information technology (IT) workforce, due to prolonged screen time and limited physical activity, may be particularly vulnerable to NAFLD.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of NAFLD and liver enzyme abnormalities (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)) among IT professionals and to explore associations with lifestyle and metabolic parameters.

METHODS

This cross-sectional observational study included 250 IT professionals aged between 25 and 55 years from a tertiary care setting. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric assessments, liver function tests (LFTs), and abdominal ultrasonography. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of NAFLD.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 36.4 ± 6.8 years, with 172 males (68.8%) and 78 females (31.2%). NAFLD was identified in 92 participants (36.8%) via ultrasonography. Elevated ALT levels were observed in 78 participants (31.2%), elevated AST in 52 participants (20.8%), and elevated GGT in 61 participants (24.4%). Among those with NAFLD (n=92), mean BMI was 29.1 kg/m² compared to 26.1 kg/m² in those without NAFLD (p<0.001). Similarly, mean ALT levels were higher in the NAFLD group (50.2 U/L vs. 36.1 U/L, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified BMI ≥27 kg/m² (n=143, 57.2%), elevated ALT (n=78, 31.2%), elevated GGT (n=61, 24.4%), and sedentary lifestyle (n=161, 64.4%) as independent predictors of NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study underscore a significant presence of NAFLD and liver enzyme elevations among individuals working in sedentary professional environments, such as the IT sector. The observed associations with modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly physical inactivity and elevated body mass, suggest a pressing need for routine metabolic and hepatic health assessments in such occupational groups. Early identification, coupled with targeted lifestyle modification strategies, holds the potential to mitigate the long-term health risks associated with NAFLD and improve overall workforce well-being.