Neck circumference as an independent indicator to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese men

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship of the neck circumference (NC) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in non-obese Chinese population. METHODS: Our data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of metabolic diseases and risk factors in East China in 2014. Subjects with a BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m(2) and < 25 kg/m(2) were considered normal weight. A total of 2668 participants aged 18–89 were identified for analysis. Anthropometric indices, biochemical parameters, clinical characteristics and abdominal ultrasound were measured. Independent predictors of NAFLD were identified by multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 10.94 % in this study population and men had a higher prevalence than women (19.89 % vs 7.48 %, P < 0.01). The mean NC was greater in NAFLD subjects compared with other groups in both genders (P < 0.01). NC was correlated to BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides and ALT, regardless of sex. In the highest quartile of NC levels in men but not in women, the risks were substantially higher for NAFLD [odds ratio 2.18, (95 % confidence interval 1.16–4.13)] (P < 0.001 for trend) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: NC was an independent indicator for NAFLD in normal weighted men.