"Diagnosis Frequency and Associated Factors of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among U.S Hospitalized Adults in Urban vs. Rural populations from 2007 - 2019: An Emerging Public Health Crisis".

Abstract

Objectives: To describe and understand differences between U.S. rural and urban populations with respect to outcomes of hospitalization and related epidemiology of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: We analyzed data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2007 to 2019, identifying 847,165 NAFLD cases, of which 370,131 met inclusion criteria. Statistical analyses included Pearson's chi-square, independent samples t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multivariate logistic regression models to examine factors associated with NAFLD.

Results: Hospitalizations due to NAFLD significantly increased over time from 2007 - 2019 with urban cases constituting 84.9% while rural cases represented 15.1%. Differences in demographics, hospital characteristics, insurance, income, and outcomes were significant between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed higher odds of NAFLD diagnosis in fringe metro areas (adjusted odds ratio [a.O.R.]=1.074, 95% CI=1.044-1.105), medium metro counties ((a.O. R.=1.146, 95% CI=1.114-1.179), small metro counties (a.O. R.=1.182, 95% CI=1.140-1.226), and rural regions (a.O. R.=1.279, 95% CI=1.233-1.327) compared to central metro areas. NAFLD was more prevalent in females, those aged 35-49 or 50-64 years, and White patients, particularly among those with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.

Conclusion: The increasing prevalence of NAFLD suggests a strong association with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. With increasing closure of rural hospitals, we may see more rural patients with NAFLD admitted to urban centers. Early detection and diagnosis should help prevent long-term complications of NAFLD.