Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and abdominal fat accumulation according to vitamin D status in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is known to increase the incidence of metabolic syndrome. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common metabolic disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and abdominal fat accumulation according to 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study comprised 302 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were divided into three groups based upon their 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: vitamin D deficient group (< 10 ng/mL), vitamin D insufficient group (≥10 to < 20 ng/mL) and vitamin D sufficient group (≥20 ng/mL). Patient clinical and laboratory markers were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Visceral fat thickness was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficient group. There were no differences in glycemic control, body mass index, and subcutaneous fat thickness correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D status. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficient group compared to the vitamin D sufficient and vitamin D insufficient groups. In multivariate logistic analysis, after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, patients with type 2 diabetes in the vitamin D sufficient group showed significantly lower odds ratio for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease than those within the vitamin D deficient group. Conclusion: In type 2 diabetes, the vitamin D deficient group showed thicker visceral fat thickness and higher nonalcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence.