Commentary
In this meta-analysis by A. Lin et al. based on data pooled from all 27 studies, the prevalence of NAFLD among Inflammatory Bowel Disease was 32% (95% CI, 24%-40%) with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 98%). This prevalence of NAFLD among IBD patients is statistically significantly higher than the prevalence of NAFLD in the general population (25.2%; P < 0.001).
Factors associated with the development of NAFLD among patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease included age, BMI, diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease duration, and prior history of bowel resection.
There is a higher prevalence of NAFLD among patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease compared with the general population. Previous treatment regimens may be a risk factor for the development of NAFLD. Future studies are needed to further clarify these risk factors and determine screening recommendations.
