Risk factors associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patient with component of metabolic syndrome

Background: We investigated whether metabolic syndrome exacerbated the risk of liver fibrosis among chronic hepatitis B patients and risk factors associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients with components of metabolic syndrome. Methods: This study included 1236 chronic hepatitis B patients with at least one component of metabolic syndrome. The controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness, patient information and relevant laboratory data were recorded. Results: Controlled attenuation parameter was increased progressively with the number of metabolic syndrome components (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated younger age, high gamma-glutamyltransferase level, high waist-hip ratio, and high body mass index were independent risk factors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among chronic hepatitis B patients with metabolic syndrome. In the fibrosis and non-fibrosis groups, most of blood lipid was relatively lower in fibrosis group. An increased proportion of chronic hepatitis B patients with liver fibrosis was found concomitant with an increasing number of components of metabolic syndrome. Male gender, older age, smoking, aspartate aminotransferase levels, high body mass index, and low platelet level were identified as independent risk factors associated with liver fibrosis. Conclusions: For chronic hepatitis B patients with coexisting components of metabolic syndrome, stratification by independent risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and fibrosis can help with management of their disease.