Higher body weight or obesity (25 < body mass index (BMI) < 30) plays a crucial role in developing fatty liver and kidney conditions, concluded a recent MRI study published in ‘Nutrients’ journal. The study researchers found a strong correlation between fatty liver and fatty kidneys, with individuals diagnosed with one more likely to have the other. For comprehensive diagnostic analysis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Dual-Echo phase sequencing can serve as an important tool for kidney fat assessment along with liver fat evaluation.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between liver and kidney fat accumulation and their connection to obesity via MRI. It analyzed MRI scans in a large cohort- 399 individuals (median age = 51 years; 52.4% women; median BMI 24.6 kg/m2). Data collected from patient records included demographics, BMI, blood pressure readings, and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Out of the participants studied, 18% were diagnosed with fatty liver and 18.6% with fatty kidneys. The key findings have been mentioned below:

• Among patients with fatty livers, 34.3% also had fatty kidneys, compared to only 15.2% without fatty livers.
• People with both fatty liver and kidneys were more obese, had higher systolic blood pressure, with a higher possibility of having diabetes.
• Patients with fatty livers were nearly three times more likely to have fatty kidneys compared to those without fatty livers.
• 19.6% of individuals were obese (BMI equal to or greater than 30), and 26.1% were overweight (BMI= ranged from 25 to 30).
• Obese and overweight people were older, with a higher probability of having diabetes and hypertension, with elevated rates of fatty liver and kidney conditions.
• 15.9% of obese patients and 8.3% of overweight patients had deposition of fat in both liver and kidneys and none with weight in the normal BMI.
• Obesity deemed as the exclusive risk factor for the development of fatty kidneys and liver (adjusted odds ratio=6.3).