Metabolic Syndrome and NAFLD in a Social Reintegration Facility Environment - Project Results

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic disease characterized by a simultaneous occurrence of several risk factors (RF) for the development of cardiovascular diseases. NAFLD - Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - is characterized by the presence of hepatic steatosis, i.e. excessive accumulation of fat in liver tissue that is associated with insulin resistance. Objectives: To determine the presence of MS and liver diseases in clients of the Social Reintegration Facility in Zakovce. The project "Screening of liver diseases in Social Reintegration Facility" ran from 1/2020 to 10/2020. It was carried out within the institutional project of the St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social Sciences (VSZaSP sv. Alzbety) and the Slovak Society of Practical Obesitology (SSPO). Participants and methods: A total of 229 clients and employees of the Social Reintegration Facility of the Institute of Christ the High Priest in Zakovce: 188 clients (82%); 41 employees (18%). Men made up 63% of the sample (145); women 37% (84). The mean age of the clients was 51.4 years, the mean length of their stay in the facility was 5.87 years. We clinically examined the clients and employees, and we collected venous and capillary blood. We examined the stiffness of liver tissue with transient elastography, and we used a special CAP software to quantify the presence of steatosis. Results: In the group of examined clients and employees of the Social Reintegration Facility in Zakovce, we were in particular looking for the presence of liver diseases. However, we also found the presence of other diseases of civilization that have a statistically significant effect on the indicators of MS, FLI, NFS, APRI, FIB-4, FS and CAP. Other research results are described by the authors in more detail in the article. Conclusion: NAFLD is considered to be a slowly progressing chronic liver disease in both, adults and children. Besides taking care of our outpatient clinics patients, we should not forget about clients of the social reintegration facilities, in whom - due to the presence of several risk factors - the incidence of liver diseases and other diseases of civilization is even higher compared to the general population.