In our meta-analysis, we found NAFLD was significantly
associated with colorectal adenoma in asymptomatic
patients undergoing screening colonoscopy. However, this
association was less prominent in the European/North
American populations, compared to the Asian population.
It may be due to the small sample size of the two studies
conducted in Europe and North America. Prospective
studies with larger sample size of western populations
to further investigate the ethnic disparity are needed in
the future. Our subgroup analyses indicated NALFD
was related to more colorectal adenomas detection in
screening colonoscopy. We found no association between
NAFLD and CRC. Because the CRC yield rate was small
in the asymptomatic patients who underwent screening
colonoscopy, there was a small statistical power to detect
such association. NASH which was confirmed by liver
biopsy was also found to be significantly associated with
colorectal adenoma.