Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to be between 20% and 30% in the general population. This prevalence is significantly higher in individuals with type 2 diabetes, reaching approximately 70-80%. The risk of developing advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is higher for diabetic patients. Due to the increasing rates of obesity, hyperlipidaemia, and diabetes, NAFLD is becoming progressively more common in the general population. Our study was designed to assess the prevalence of NAFLD, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the local population of Belgaum in Karnataka state. We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study involving a total of 1750 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who were receiving care at the Diabetes Centre of KLES Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Belagavi. Patients with chronic liver disease or a history of alcohol consumption were not included in our selection. These patients underwent an abdominal ultrasound to assess for fatty liver disease. Their categorisation was done into two groups: those with fatty liver (Group A, 10.51%) and those without (Group B, 7.02%). Their body mass index, HbA1c levels, liver function tests, and lipid profiles were further assessed. The data was analysed using SPSS version 14.0. Our findings indicate that NAFLD is closely connected to abnormalities, including dysglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and obesity. The occurrence of NAFLD was identified to be significant due to age and diabetes duration. We need long-term follow-up studies from India on patients with NAFLD to understand our population’s temporal evolution of NAFLD, metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease. The clinical implication is that patients with NAFLD are at higher risk and should undergo periodic cardiovascular risk assessments.

To gain more comprehensive information about this topic, you may look into additional reading materials related to NAFLD and its relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients – A cross-sectional hospital-based study M.V. Jali et al. Al Ameen J Med Sci 2015; 8(1):50-54 ● US National Library of Medicine enlisted journal ● ISSN 0974-114

Dr. Mallikarjun V Jali
Chief Diabetologist & Professor of Diabetology (Med)
MD, FRCP, FICP, FGSI, D.Litt
Diabetes Centre