A Study to Assess the Association between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Microalbuminuria in Non-Diabetic Adult Subjects

Abstract Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder. Microalbuminuria, an early marker of renal dysfunction, has been associated with metabolic disorders, including NAFLD. While the relationship between NAFLD and microalbuminuria is well established in diabetic individuals, its prevalence and association in non-diabetic adults remain unclear. Understanding this link may provide insights into early renal impairment in NAFLD patients without diabetes. Objectives: · To evaluate the association between NAFLD and microalbuminuria in non-diabetic adults. · To assess the prevalence of microalbuminuria in NAFLD patients without diabetes. · To analyze the correlation between NAFLD severity (measured by FIB-4 scoring and Fibroscan parameters) and microalbuminuria. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 132 non-diabetic adult NAFLD patients (F0–F2 grade on Fibroscan) with no history of alcohol consumption, kidney disease, or secondary liver disease. Biochemical and radiological investigations included liver function tests, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and Fibroscan analysis. The presence of microalbuminuria was defined as ACR between 30–300 mg/g. Statistical analysis included correlation tests and logistic regression models. Results: Microalbuminuria was present in 39.39% of NAFLD patients. The prevalence of microalbuminuria increased with NAFLD severity, with 19.23% of patients in the low-risk fibrosis category (FIB-4 < 1.3) having microalbuminuria, compared to 51.92% in the high-risk fibrosis group (FIB-4 > 2.67). A statistically significant correlation was observed between microalbuminuria and increasing Fibroscan scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights a significant association between NAFLD and microalbuminuria in non-diabetic adults, with increasing liver fibrosis severity correlating with higher rates of microalbuminuria. These findings suggest that NAFLD may contribute to early renal dysfunction, even in the absence of diabetes. Routine screening for microalbuminuria in NAFLD patients could aid in the early detection and prevention of kidney-related complications.