▲ Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Research Team (Photo = provided by Kangbuk Samsung Hospital)
[메디컬투데이=이재혁 기자] Research findings have been published showing that the more severe the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in young adults, the greater the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver disease that occurs in people who consume little or no alcohol and is known to be related to obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. If fat accumulation continues, it can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and, in severe cases, can lead to cirrhosis, so early diagnosis and appropriate management are important.
The research team, led by Professors Wonyoung Lee, Eunjeong Lee and Hyemi Kwon of the Department of Endocrinology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, used data from the National Health Insurance Service to determine the incidence of thyroid cancer according to analysis The fatty liver index among 3.1 million young adults aged 20 to 39 years who underwent four consecutive health checkups in Korea was analyzed.
According to the fatty liver index, the research team divided it into ▲ fatty liver index less than 30 (normal) ▲ fatty liver index 30 or more but less than 60 ▲ fatty liver index 60 or more.
Accordingly, compared to the group with a normal fatty liver index, the risk of developing thyroid cancer was 1.36 times higher for men and 1.44 times higher for women when the fatty liver index was between 30 and 60. Furthermore, if the fatty liver index is 60 or higher, the risk of developing thyroid cancer increases 1.71 times in men and 1.81 times in women.
Furthermore, the fatty liver index increased during the follow-up period, and as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease became more severe, the risk of developing thyroid cancer also increased.
Then, the fatty liver index was measured four times in a row, and if the fatty liver index was 30 or higher, 1 point was assigned for each measurement. The higher the cumulative score, the greater the risk of developing thyroid cancer compared to people with a cumulative score of 0 (those who have never had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
Professor Hyemi Kwon said: “Research findings show that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increases the risk of thyroid cancer even in young adults. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been confirmed to be an independent risk factor for the risk of developing thyroid cancer.”
He continued: “In the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone are presumed to influence the development of thyroid cancer. To prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, eat a healthy diet and exercise. “Lifestyle management, such as maintaining an appropriate weight, is necessary,” she added.
Meanwhile, this study was published in the latest issue of “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”, a world-renowned medical journal.
[ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
#young #adults #risk #thyroid #cancer #increases #nonalcoholic #fatty #liver #disease
