ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
In the present cross-sectional study involving 260 adult participants, a strong association was observed between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome, as well as with several individual cardiometabolic risk factors. Ultrasound evaluation identified a substantial proportion of participants with evidence of hepatic steatosis, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher among individuals with NAFLD compared with those without fatty liver disease. Participants diagnosed with NAFLD demonstrated markedly greater rates of central obesity, elevated fasting blood glucose, hypertension, hypertriglyceridaemia, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), all of which constitute key components of metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric measurements revealed significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference values among NAFLD subjects, reflecting the close relationship between hepatic fat accumulation and adiposity. Similarly, metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism were more frequently identified in the NAFLD group, indicating an adverse metabolic profile. Lipid analysis showed significantly elevated triglyceride concentrations and lower HDL-C levels among participants with NAFLD, further highlighting the presence of atherogenic dyslipidaemia. Blood pressure measurements were also significantly higher in individuals with fatty liver disease, suggesting an increased burden of cardiovascular risk. Chi-square analysis demonstrated statistically significant associations between NAFLD and the presence of metabolic syndrome as well as each of its major components (p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis, performed after adjustment for potential confounding factors including age, sex, and body mass index, confirmed that NAFLD remained independently associated with metabolic syndrome, with affected individuals exhibiting approximately 3.4-fold higher odds of having metabolic syndrome compared with those without NAFLD. Furthermore, independent associations were identified between NAFLD and insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, indicating that fatty liver disease is not merely a hepatic condition but an important marker of systemic metabolic dysfunction. The findings collectively demonstrate that NAFLD clusters with multiple cardiometabolic abnormalities and is strongly linked to the broader spectrum of metabolic syndrome. These results emphasize the importance of comprehensive metabolic evaluation in patients diagnosed with NAFLD and support the integration of liver health assessment into routine cardiometabolic risk stratification and preventive healthcare strategies