Muscle Mass Adjusted for Body Weight Is Associated with Significant Liver Fibrosis in Young Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Korean Military Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia has been associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to investigate the correlation between liver fibrosis and muscle mass in young adults with NAFLD.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 88 Korean soldiers <35 years of age who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis and liver stiffness measurements. A FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase score >0.35 was used to determine the presence of liver fibrosis.

RESULTS

Among the 88 patients, 38 were classified as having significant fibrosis. In the univariate analysis, muscle mass percentage (MMP), muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus, and alanine transaminase (ALT) level were all significantly associated with fibrosis (P<0.001). After adjusting for ALT level, height, and age, MMP and WHR were associated with fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

In young adults, MMP and MFR were significantly associated with hepatic fibrosis.