Summary
Background. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that includes abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension and higher glucose levels. Currently, there is growing evidence of a close relationship between metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Obesity, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance have been identified as risk factors for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore in 2020, an expert panel proposed a definition for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.
Case report. We describe a 52-year-old man with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Blood tests show a constant increase in liver enzymes without negative dynamics. The liver biopsy confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with fibrosis.
Conclusions. Studies have shown that metabolic syndrome is prevalent in more than half of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome have more advanced liver fibrosis, therefore once metabolic syndrome is diagnosed, screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is recommended and vice versa. According to the updated programme of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Lithuania, people at very high risk of cardiovascular disease will have their liver enzymes tested.
