Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
among type 2 diabetic patients is completely ignored in developing
regions like Africa paving the way for public health and economic
burden in the region. Therefore, the main objective of this research
was to evaluate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and associated
factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Southwestern Ethiopia
attending Diabetic Clinic of Jimma University Specialized Hospital
(JUSH).
METHODS: Facility based cross-sectional study design was used.
Anthropometry, fatty liver (using utrasonography), liver enzymes,
and lipid profiles were measured among type 2 diabetic patients
who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Socio-demographic and clinical
characteristics were assessed using standard questionnaires.
RESULTS: Ninety-six (96) type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled
and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence was 73%. Of nonalcoholic fatty Liver disease documented patients, 35.4%, 31.3%
and 6.3% exhibited mild, moderate and severe fatty liver diseases,
respectively. Alanine aminotransferase (p ≤0.001), Triacyglycerol
(p ≤0.001), total bilirubin (p ≤0.05), direct bilirubin (p ≤0.05) and
diabetic duration (p ≤0.01) were significantly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among type 2 diabetic patients. The
Aspartate aminotransferase/ Alanine aminotransferase ratio
among non alcoholic fatty liver disease patients was greater than
one.
CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease is high among study groups and it needs urgent action by
healthcare systems. Therefore, targeted treatment approach
inclusive of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease should be designed
