Washington: Surprisingly, fatty liver disease that targets the obese or patients of heart disease poses no risk to one's longevity.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition tied with obesity and heart disease, undermining health and longevity.

But a new study by researchers suggests the condition does not affect survival, the British Medical Journal reports.

"Physicians have considered fatty liver disease a really worrisome risk factor for cardiovascular disease," says Mariana Lazo, postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Our data analysis shows this doesn't appear to be the case. We were surprised to say the least because we expected to learn by how much non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increased the risk of death...," adds Lazo, who led the study.

Using data from survey of 11,371 Americans between 1994 and 1998 who were followed for up to 18 years as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), researchers checked liver enzyme levels and ultrasound tests for evidence of NAFLD.

They ultimately looked at death rates associated with NAFLD. The participants were aged between 20 and 74 years during the survey years, according to a Hopkins statement.

The Hopkins team found no increase in mortality among those with NAFLD, which was identified in 20 percent of the NHANES participants.