Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

To date, the clinical implications of the long-lasting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) such as the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are yet to be determined. The main aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between NAFLD and early LVDD progression along with demographic characteristics.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on ninety consecutive diabetic outpatients referred to the endocrinology clinic. Demographic data were collected using a designed checklist. Ultrasound imaging was performed to assess the fatty liver condition. To assess LV diastolic function, echocardiography was performed, using a trans-thoracic tissue Doppler echocardiography.

RESULTS

The results showed that the majority of participants were females (61.1%). The fasting blood glucose (FBG, mg/dl) level was 174.65 ±51.1. Also, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.92±4.19, which was significantly associated with NAFLD. It has been also estimated that 76.7% and 81.1% of diabetic patients had NAFLD and simultaneous LVDD, respectively. However, the statistical results did not show a significant association between non-progressive NAFLD and LVDD (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was no correlation between NAFLD and LVDD progression. However, timely evaluation of LVDD in T2DM outpatients with NAFLD can strongly help to prevent possible cardiomyopathy in high-risk populations.