Abstract

Background: osteoporosis is defined by decrease in bone strength and is not confined   to bone but is also associated with systemic disorders such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Non alcoholic fatty liver is the manifestation of metabolic syndrome in liver and may be related to poor bone mineralization by inducing systemic inflammation. Objectives: The aim of this study is evaluation of relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and osteoporosis in adults for the first time in Iran. Materials and Methods: 235 individuals who were referred to the bone densitometry centre of Imam Khomeiny Hospital of Urumia from October, 2012 to May, 2013 were evaluated. Blood pressure, height, weight, Body mass index, waist circumference and laboratory tests including lipid profile, FBS, AST and ALT was measured in all subjects. All the individuals underwent ultrasonography for diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and determination of the grade of fatty liver. Results: in this study non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increased the risk of developing osteoporosis (odds ratio: 1.17) but there was no statistically significant association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and osteoporosis (P value= 0.66). This result was obtained after adjusting for age and LDL level in the subjects. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and osteoporosis is not statistically significant; however non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. Further studies are necessary for evaluating this relationship and to determine the clinical importance of surveying bone densitometry in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.