DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i05.005

Pages: 1834-1837

Diffuse accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, occurring in individuals without a significant history of alcohol consumption is termed as Non-Alcoholic Fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is a common condition, in which diabetic fatty liver accounts for a larger proportion. As a result of epidemic increase in diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity and hyperlipidemia, the prevalence of NAFLD is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was designed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD in T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus) patients and also to study its risk factors. The present study was conducted in a rural tertiary care hospital, over a period of 3 months. A total of 249 patients with T2DM underwent ultrasonography to diagnose fatty liver. Patients with NAFLD were compared with those with normal liver ultrasound findings. The risk factors of NAFLD were also evaluated in the study group. Of the 249 diabetic patients enrolled in this study, 76 (30.5%) presented with NAFLD. The highest prevalence of NAFLD was recorded in the age group of 51-60 years at 34.5%. The prevalence rate among females (62.2%) was higher than for males (37.8%). An insight into the predisposing factors of NAFLD, revealed a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia in the subjects with NAFLD. T2DM patients with NAFLD are at risk of developing progressive forms of the disease. This liver disorder is another potential complication in T2DM patients that requires intervention in the associated factors and avoids the evolution of NAFLD to chronicity.