Prevalence of Fatty Pancreas and its relation with anthropometric values on the Growth and Obesity Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: Nonalcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease (NAFPD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation within the pancreas in the absence of alcohol intake, potentially leading to pancreatic dysfunction and metabolic complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic carcinoma. The authors aim to estimate the prevalence of NAFPD and its association with anthropometric parameters in a cohort of Chilean adolescents. Method: The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the "Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study" (GOCS), a longitudinal study involving nearly 1000 children, followed yearly since 2006. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and abdominal ultrasonography. Results: A total of 741 adolescents were included; 30 exhibited ultrasonography findings compatible with fatty pancreas (4 %). Adolescents with NAFPD had higher BMI z-score (2.33 (1.52–2.69) vs 0.67 (-0.2–1.4), p < 0.001), waist circumference (WC) (90.9 (81.53–98.58) vs 72.2 (67.55–79.83), p < 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (0.55 (0.48–0.6) vs 0.44 (0.41–0.49), p < 0.001), triponderal index (17.35 (15.14–19.25) vs 13.62 (12.07–15.54), p < 0.001), subcutaneous fat (32.4 (21.77–44.95) vs 16.2 (9.3 - 25.3), p < 0.001), visceral fat (45.15 (36.92–62.08) vs 35.5 (28.55–44.25), p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.009), and diastolic blood pressure but only in boys (p = 0.004) compared with controls. The prevalence of liver steatosis was significantly higher in the NAFPD group (63.3% vs 5.2 %, p < 0.001). After adjusting for sex and BMI, only the association with waist circumference and liver steatosis remains statistically significant. Conclusion: In adolescents, NAFPD has a prevalence of 4 % and is associated with a higher BMI z-score, WC, superficial fat, and blood pressure levels. Liver steatosis exhibited a strong association with NAFPD.