Association between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Renal Stone Formation Based on Sex and Age

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. According to previous studies, NAFLD can cause kidney dysfunction and the formation of urinary tract stones. In this study, the relationship between NAFLD and renal stone formation based on the sex and age of patients was investigated using non-contrast computed tomograms.

This study was performed in 2020 on 907 patients who were referred to Golestan Hospital and underwent computed tomography (CT) evaluation without contrast of the abdomen and pelvis. The statistical relationship between NAFLD and renal stone disease was assessed using the Chi-square test.

Participants in this study included 582 men (64.2%) and 325 women (35.8%). The frequency of NAFLD patients with renal stones was significantly higher than NAFLD patients without renal stones (82.1% vs 17.9%, P <0.0001). The frequency of renal stones in severe NAFLD was significantly higher than in patients with mild NAFLD (100% vs 78.8%; P=0.008). The risk of developing renal stones in patients with NAFLD disease increases with age compared with patients without NAFLD (P<0.009). Renal stones in patients with NAFLD were not affected by sex (P=0.487).

These results show a significant association between NAFLD and renal stone formation in male and female populations. Also, this association is strengthened by the increase in the severity of NAFLD; therefore, NAFLD can be an independent risk factor for renal stone disease, and renal stone disease can be associated with metabolic syndrome or one of its components.