Is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome? An experience from a medical college of West Bengal, India.

INTRODUCTION

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a wide spectrum of liver disease ranged from mild steatosis to advance fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and hepato-cellular carcinoma, showed rising trend globally. Prevalent evidences support coexistence between NAFDL and metabolic syndrome.

AIMS: The present study aims to demonstrate the sociodemographic and clinical profile of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases and its association with metabolic syndrome if any.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study was conducted among the 120 patients diagnosed as NAFLD by ultrasonography as well as similar numbers of matching controls in a tertiary care teaching hospital of eastern part of India. Relevant anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations and imaging techniques were performed. Metabolic syndrome was classified by the 'International Diabetes Federation, 2005' criteria. Pearson's chi-square test used for measures of association, and P < 0.05 was taken as level of significance.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the NAFLD study population was 64.2%. Significant positive association found with several cardiometabolic components such as increased body mass index, central obesity, hypertension, fasting blood sugar, dyslipidaemia and NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among NAFLD patients was found quite high and significant positive association found between metabolic syndrome and its components and NAFLD. Early detection of NAFLD might play a vital role in preventive cardiology.