Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Fatty liver and hyperuricemia are growing public health concerns linked to unhealthy lifestyles, yet their combined effects in working populations remain underexplored. This study investigates their associations with metabolic risk factors, inflammation, and...

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Main Authors: Jui-Hua Huang, Ren-Hau Li, Hon-Ke Sia, Feng-Cheng Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Metabolites
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/5/318
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author Jui-Hua Huang
Ren-Hau Li
Hon-Ke Sia
Feng-Cheng Tang
author_facet Jui-Hua Huang
Ren-Hau Li
Hon-Ke Sia
Feng-Cheng Tang
author_sort Jui-Hua Huang
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Fatty liver and hyperuricemia are growing public health concerns linked to unhealthy lifestyles, yet their combined effects in working populations remain underexplored. This study investigates their associations with metabolic risk factors, inflammation, and liver dysfunction to inform workplace health strategies. <b>Methods</b>: The participants were employees aged 20 or older from four industrial enterprises located in central Taiwan. A total of 3089 participants (2571 males, 518 females) were analyzed. Lifestyle factors were assessed via a self-administered questionnaire, fatty liver was diagnosed using ultrasound, and serum uric acid levels, metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, and liver function were measured. <b>Results</b>: The prevalence of fatty liver (43.2%) exceeded that of hyperuricemia (25.5%), with a higher burden among males. Fatty liver was associated with lower physical activity, while alcohol consumption was significantly higher in individuals with both conditions. Both conditions correlated with increased metabolic risk factors, liver dysfunction, and inflammation. Health-related risk factors were compared across four groups, using Group A (no hyperuricemia/no fatty liver, OR = 1.00) as the reference. The risk of metabolic syndrome increased progressively: 2.90 (Group B: hyperuricemia/no fatty liver), 6.15 (Group C: no hyperuricemia/fatty liver), and 11.52 (Group D: hyperuricemia/fatty liver), following the trend A < B < C < D. Notably, Group D had the highest risk, with exacerbated inflammation and liver dysfunction. <b>Conclusions</b>: Fatty liver and hyperuricemia synergistically worsen metabolic disorders, inflammation, and liver dysfunction. Early detection and lifestyle interventions are crucial to mitigating long-term health risks.
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spelling doaj-art-5e328d3c7f2c48a78998a004973011d22025-08-20T01:56:24ZengMDPI AGMetabolites2218-19892025-05-0115531810.3390/metabo15050318Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle FactorsJui-Hua Huang0Ren-Hau Li1Hon-Ke Sia2Feng-Cheng Tang3Department of Golden-Ager Industry Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung 413, TaiwanDepartment of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, TaiwanDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Fatty liver and hyperuricemia are growing public health concerns linked to unhealthy lifestyles, yet their combined effects in working populations remain underexplored. This study investigates their associations with metabolic risk factors, inflammation, and liver dysfunction to inform workplace health strategies. <b>Methods</b>: The participants were employees aged 20 or older from four industrial enterprises located in central Taiwan. A total of 3089 participants (2571 males, 518 females) were analyzed. Lifestyle factors were assessed via a self-administered questionnaire, fatty liver was diagnosed using ultrasound, and serum uric acid levels, metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, and liver function were measured. <b>Results</b>: The prevalence of fatty liver (43.2%) exceeded that of hyperuricemia (25.5%), with a higher burden among males. Fatty liver was associated with lower physical activity, while alcohol consumption was significantly higher in individuals with both conditions. Both conditions correlated with increased metabolic risk factors, liver dysfunction, and inflammation. Health-related risk factors were compared across four groups, using Group A (no hyperuricemia/no fatty liver, OR = 1.00) as the reference. The risk of metabolic syndrome increased progressively: 2.90 (Group B: hyperuricemia/no fatty liver), 6.15 (Group C: no hyperuricemia/fatty liver), and 11.52 (Group D: hyperuricemia/fatty liver), following the trend A < B < C < D. Notably, Group D had the highest risk, with exacerbated inflammation and liver dysfunction. <b>Conclusions</b>: Fatty liver and hyperuricemia synergistically worsen metabolic disorders, inflammation, and liver dysfunction. Early detection and lifestyle interventions are crucial to mitigating long-term health risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/5/318fatty liverhyperuricemialifestylemetabolic syndromeinflammationliver dysfunction
spellingShingle Jui-Hua Huang
Ren-Hau Li
Hon-Ke Sia
Feng-Cheng Tang
Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors
Metabolites
fatty liver
hyperuricemia
lifestyle
metabolic syndrome
inflammation
liver dysfunction
title Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors
title_full Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors
title_fullStr Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors
title_full_unstemmed Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors
title_short Fatty Liver and Hyperuricemia in Workers: Combined Effects on Metabolic Dysfunction and the Role of Lifestyle Factors
title_sort fatty liver and hyperuricemia in workers combined effects on metabolic dysfunction and the role of lifestyle factors
topic fatty liver
hyperuricemia
lifestyle
metabolic syndrome
inflammation
liver dysfunction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/5/318
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