Approved research

Association between non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis and chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes and the role of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 gene variants: cross-sectional analysis

Lay summary

This study aims to look at the link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. NAFLD is thought to affect as much as 25% of the global population mainly because of the growing international obesity problem. NAFLD can lead to severe scarring of the liver called 'cirrhosis'. In some cases people with NAFLD can even develop liver cancer. People with diabetes are at the highest risk of getting NAFLD. People with diabetes also seem to be at the highest risk of getting scarring due to NAFLD. There also seem to be some genetic factors which put people at more risk of getting liver scarring due to NAFLD. However, NAFLD does not just affect the liver in people with diabetes. NAFLD affects other organs as well. For example, NAFLD seems to have a strong link with chronic kidney disease. People with diabetes are known to be at risk of chronic kidney disease. However, we think that people with diabetes who have NAFLD might be at even more risk of chronic kidney disease. Current guidelines do not recommend considering NAFLD as an extra risk factor when treating patients with diabetes who have chronic kidney disease. In this study we aim to confirm the link between NAFLD and chronic kidney disease in people with diabetes using the large data resource of patient information called UK Biobank. If a link between NAFLD and chronic kidney disease is confirmed then it might have implications for the treatment of people with diabetes who have either NAFLD or chronic kidney disease. The presence of a link between the two diseases would suggest that when we are treating a patient with NAFLD it is also important to consider their kidneys and the risk of chronic kidney disease. By knowing this risk exists then it is possible that treatment could be started to prevent complications before they happen. We aim to complete this project over 24 months with publication of our findings at the end of that timeframe.