Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Simple Steatosis and Non-Alcoholic Steato- Hepatitis Among Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients at The Central Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with metabolic comorbidities like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which are components of NAFLD, among newly diagnosed T2DM patients. This cross-sectional study was undertaken at the Central Hospital, Cameroon from March 2020 to September 2020 and it included all recently diagnosed T2DM patients, who had an alcohol consumption <140g (14 drinks/week) for women and <210g (21 drinks/week) for men, and without any signs of liver cirrhosis on abdominal ultrasound. All patients underwent a clinical examination with blood samples taken for lipid profile and transaminases measurements and an abdominal ultrasound assessment using a LOGIQ V5 Expert ultrasound machine. A total of 98 (53 males and 45 females) out of 128 eligible patients consented to participate in the study. The mean age was 50.31±10.51. NAFLD was present in 56.1% (55/98) patients; with mild and homogeneously diffused in 92.7% (51/55) and 94.5% (52/55) respectively. There were no significant differences in lipids profiles and transaminases between those with or without steatosis. Factors associated with fatty liver disease were body mass index ≥ 30 kg / m2 (P = 0.0002), waist circumference ≥ 94 cm for men or ≥ 80cm for women (P = 0.004). In conclusion, NAFLD is a common feature in newly diagnosed T2DM in our setting. There is a need for more attention towards NAFLD by primary care physicians, specialists and health policy makers