FREQUENCY OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health concern and is increasingly being observed ‘in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)’ even in the absence of obesity. This association poses a risk for progression to more serious liver complications including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. To determine the frequency of NAFLD among non-obese patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of General Medicine at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 260 non-obese individuals aged 25–70 years with T2DM were enrolled using consecutive non-probability sampling. Participants were assessed through clinical evaluation and imaging or histological evidence of hepatic steatosis. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Chi-square test was applied, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: Out of 260 non-obese T2DM patients, 58.1% were diagnosed with NAFLD. Significant associations were found between NAFLD and factors ‘such as age, male gender, higher-normal BMI, longer diabetes duration, hypertension, and smoking’. Other sociodemographic factors showed no significant relationship. Conclusion: NAFLD is highly prevalent among non-obese individuals with T2DM. Routine screening for NAFLD in all diabetic patients, regardless of body weight, is recommended to enable early intervention and prevent complications.
Downloads
Article Details
Section

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.