A study of correlation between clinical profile of patients with non- alcoholic fatty liver disease and individual components of metabolic syndrome at a tertiary care centre in Uttarakhand region: an observational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Research indicates that the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in India is reported to range from approximately 9% to 32%. This study aims to examine the clinical characteristics of subjects diagnosed with NAFLD and investigate the association between NAFLD and individual components of metabolic syndrome. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study, conducted over a period of 2 months from May 2017 to June 2017 in patients attending medicine OPD or admitted in IPD in AIIMS Rishikesh. Study population included sonologicaly diagnosed cases of NAFLD of age group 18 to 70 years. Patients with a history of jaundice, positive viral markers for hepatitis C or hepatitis B, pregnant women, individuals who consume alcohol, and patients with a history of hepatotoxic drug consumption were excluded. Results: A total of 40 NAFLD cases, as confirmed ultrasonographically, were included in the study. Out of all the patients diagnosed with NAFLD, 26 (65%) were found to have metabolic syndrome based on the NCEP ATP III criteria. Upon investigating the correlation between NAFLD and individual components of metabolic syndrome, a significant association (p<0.05) was observed with BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as serum triglyceride levels. Conclusions: Uttarakhand being hilly region mainly, it is expected that lifestyle will be healthy due to cultural and environmental factors, but rapid urbanisation has led to change in lifestyle which needs to be addressed in the population of this Himalayan state.