Ganga Prasad Uppalapati1, K. Harish2
BACKGROUND
The Prevalence of Diabetes is increasing worldwide and is expected to affect 57 million adults in India by 2025. Virtually, the entire spectrum of liver disease is seen in patients with type 2 diabetes. This includes NAFLD, NASH and cirrhosis. Nearly, 70-80% of the diabetic subjects have been reported to have hepatic fat accumulation, referred to as NAFLD (Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease). There are not enough studies done on hepatic status of diabetic patients in our country. Hence, this study aims to describe the hepatic profile of type 2 diabetic patients.
The aim of the study is to assess the clinical, biochemical and sonological profile of fatty liver in type 2 diabetes patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Type 2 diabetes patients who are attending medical OPD (n=118) were taken as subjects. They underwent liver function tests, blood glucose levels and assessed by ultrasound examination of abdomen. Their diabetic duration and treatment history was also recorded.
RESULTS
Age wise and sex wise comparison of the liver function tests did not reveal any significant difference. Comparing mean blood glucose between those with or without fatty liver did not reveal any significant difference. There was no clinically significant difference between liver enzyme parameters among patients with fatty liver and those without fatty liver (as assessed by ultrasonogram). Significant number of females developed fatty liver disease as compared to males. Obesity was found to have a significant association with fatty liver disease. Only 6 patients among 60 patients of those with normal or underweight showed fatty liver change as compared to 44 patients. Among 58 patients of those with overweight or obese patients showed fatty liver change (assessed by ultrasonogram).
CONCLUSION
Obese persons are at greater risk of developing NAFLD. Females have high risk of developing fatty liver disease when compared to males. No significant correlation was found between age of the patient, duration of diabetes and NAFLD. Our present study did not find any correlation between liver enzyme parameters and degree of fatty liver. So, the conclusion is ultrasound examination of abdomen is the ideal diagnostic tool for detection of fatty liver disease especially in obese people, females and diabetic patients.
