| Abstrakt: |
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and predictive factors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) of the monks living in Bangkok particularly in Dusit and Nong Chok districts. Materials and Methods: Medical illness was assessed by self-administered questionnaire, physical examination and biochemical blood test. The study was conducted from March 2017 to November 2017. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and was defined when there was abnormal transaminase, neither serology positive for viral hepatitis nor significant alcoholic consumption. The predictive factors of NASH were also determined. Results: Among 190 monks who were included in the present study, 55 (28.9%) had hepatitis diagnosed from either an elevated AST and/or ALT level. The prevalence of hepatitis was significantly higher among the monks in Dusit compared to those in Nong Chok (43.2 vs. 14.7%; p<0.001). Comparing to normal individuals, the monks affected by NASH had significantly higher mean values of body mass index (27.9±5.3 vs. 24.5±4.9 kg/m², p<0.001), waist circumference (87.5±11.7 vs. 81.9±14.6 cm, p<0.028), body weight (77.9±18.2 vs. 67.4±16.8 kg, p<0.001) and uric acid (6.7±1.23 vs. 5.9±1.24, p = 0.001), respectively. The mean BMI >25 kg/m² was the only factor that increased the risk of NASH with the adjusted odds ratio of 2.84 (95% CI = 1.27 to 6.38; p = 0.011). Conclusion: Approximately one-fourth of the Buddhist urban Thai monks had NASH. The significant independent predictive factor was obesity (BMI >25 kg/m²). Lifestyle modification including having healthy diet and increasing physical activity, especially to reduce weight should be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
