Association of Dietary Phytochemical Index and Anthropometric Risk Factors with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People with Diabetes

High prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus results in deleterious complications and morbidities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess nutritional and anthropometrical risk factors in progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetic patients.

Totally, 133 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (CAP score > 270) and 67 controls (CAP score < 270) were selected from the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a clinic. Dietary phytochemical index was calculated via data from a validated 147-item FFQ. Body composition were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Other anthropometric indices and laboratory assays were used as well. Logistic regression models were used to estimate multivariable ORs.

After adjustment for potential confounders, risk of progression for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in participants with higher dietary phytochemical indices significantly decreased (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.12–0.98, p = 0.048). After fully adjustment of covariates and independently from body mass index, positive associations were seen between the highest tertile of TLR (OR = 7.99, 95% CI: 2.43–26.26, p = 0.001), METS-VF (OR = 4.55, 95% CI: 1.46–14.2,
 p = 0.009) and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Findings of this study have demonstrated that phytochemical components of diet play protective roles against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  Moreover, TLR and METS-VF are addressed as novel estimators of central obesity as a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetes.