An Analysis On The Risk Factors Of Fatty Liver Disease And Hypertension In Cold-rolling Workers

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalences and risk factors of fatty liver disease and hypertension in a cold-rolling mill in Wuhan, which will provide suggestions to control and prevent fatty liver disease and hypertension in professional population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was used in this study. 1174 subjects were investigated for fatty liver disease and hypertension (596 exposed workers and 578 controls). Fatty liver disease was determined by ultrasonograph, and blood pressure was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer on the right arm with subjects in a sitting position after a 5-min rest. Height, weight, fasting plasma glucose, serum triglyceride (TG), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were determined by routine laboratory methods. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analysis the risk factors and to estimate odds ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI).ResultsThe prevalences of main diseases such as fatty liver disease (41.6%), hypertension (21.1%) and high serum TG (42.6%) were higher in the exposed workers than in the controls(14.7%, 14.4% and 30.8%, respectively), all P<0.01. Among the exposed workers, 35.3% of <30 year olds suffered from fatty liver disease, as did 41.6% of 30- year olds, 42.7% of 40- year olds, and 50.0% of those over 50 years of age; these figures are significantly higher than those for the control group (15.5%, 10.5%, 16.6% and 19.2%, respectively), all P<0.01. The prevalences of fatty liver disease were 41.4%, 35.6% and 44.7% in the exposed subjects who had been working for <10 years, 10- years and 20- years, respectively. These values were higher than those for the control group (10.0%, 13.6% and 12.4%, respectively), all P<0.05. The prevalence of fatty liver disease was 40.7% among the exposed workers with a BMI below 25, this was significant higher compared with the control group (5.6%), P<0.01. The prevalences of hypertension were 16.8%, 19.9%, 17.2%, 18.6% and 21.6% in the exposed subjects of <30 year olds, 30- year olds, <10 years of working duration, 10- years of working duration and BMI below 25. These values were higher than those for the control group (2.7%, 8.3%, 0.0%, 5.1% and 10.3%, respectively), all P<0.05. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that such factors related to fatty liver disease, including high serum AST (OR 7.339, 95%CI 2.586-20.826), high serum TG (OR 3.895, 95%CI 2.873-5.281), hyperglycaemia (OR 1.796, 95%CI 1.115-2.893), hypertension (OR 1.965, 95%CI 1.370-2.819) and drinking alcohol (OR 2.797, 95%CI 2.011-3.890). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that such factors related to hypertension, including zincing (OR 4.521, 95%CI 1.718-11.896), fatty liver disease (OR 2.108, 95%CI 1.480-3.001), hyperglycaemia (OR 1.910, 95%CI 1.210-3.013), and high serum TG (OR 1.642, 95%CI 1.178-2.288).ConclusionThe prevalences of fatty liver disease and hypertension were higher among the exposed workers than in the controls. High serum AST, high serum TG, hyperglycaemia, hypertension and drinking alcohol were important risk factors for fatty liver disease. Zincing, fatty liver disease, hyperglycaemia and high serum TG were important risk factors for hypertension.