Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is not associated with a lower health perception

AIM:To examine the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and general health perception. METHODS:This cross sectional and prospective follow-up study was performed on a cohort of a subsample of the first Israeli national health and nutrition examination survey, with no secondary liver disease or history of alcohol abuse.On the first survey, in 2003-2004, 349 participants were included.In 2009-2010 participants from the baseline survey were invited to participate in a follow-up survey.On both baseline and follow-up surveys the data collected included: self-reported general health perception, physical activity habits, frequency of physician's visits, fatigue impact scale and abdominal ultrasound.Fatty liver was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography using standardized criteria and the ratio between the median brightness level of the liver and the right kidney was calculated to determine the Hepato-Renal Index. RESULTS:Out of 349 eligible participants in the first survey, 213 volunteers participated in the follow-up Case Control Study ORIGINAL ARTICLECONCLUSION: Fatty liver without clinically significant liver disease does not have independent impact on selfhealth perception.