FREQUENCY OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the medical B Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medical B Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from 1st April 2014 to 15th November 2014. The study population comprised of male and female patients who were diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes mellitus based on their fasting and random blood sugar levels. All patients had abdominal ultrasounds carried out. Frequency and percentages were calculated for categorical variables like sex and non-alcoholic fatty liver diagnosed on abdominal ultrasound. Non-alcoholic fatty liver was stratified among the age, sex, and duration of type-2 diabetes mellitus to see the effect modifiers. All the results were presented as tables and graphs, with the data being entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17.
Results: Out of one hundred and forty-five patients, 74 (51%) were female and 71 (49%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 47.93±8.57 years. Fifty-one (35.17%) of diabetic patients had a fatty liver. Most of the patients (53.7%) fell in the age group 40-49. Fatigue was present in 53, generalized weakness in 46, heaviness right upper abdomen in 32, and pain right upper abdomen in 42 of fatty liver patients. Corresponding figures in Non-Fatty Liver Patients were 47, 47, and 32 respectively. The itching was noted in 32 patients with fatty liver and 22 with the non-fatty liver. Serum triglyceride levels of more than 160 mg/dl were seen in 47 (92.15%) patients with fatty liver while serum cholesterol levels more than 200mg/dl were seen in 24 (47.05%) patients. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than 40u/l was noted in 6(4.1%) fatty liver patients while serum albumin and serum bilirubin were within the normal range in all fatty liver and non-fatty liver patients.
Conclusion: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more commonly seen in Type-2 diabetic patients. Serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol are significantly raised in NAFLD patients. Diabetic patients having heaviness or pain right upper abdomen with raised serum triglycerides and cholesterol should be more closely observed for NAFLD and liver complications.
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References
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