Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance in type 2diabetes

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD is one of the leading causes of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis NASH cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is a major risk factor in hepatic insulin resistance IR. IR appears to be a common pathophysiological link between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM and limited information is available on the association of NAFLD with IR in T2DM individuals. We decided to determine whether there is association of NAFLD with IR in T2DM subjects.Material amp Methods Study involving 151 53 males 98 females T2DM subjects were screened for NAFLD using abdominal ultrasound scanning clinical assessment and biochemical parameters. IR was calculated using HOMA-IR. Association between NAFLD and IR was tested by Chi-square analysis. Significant difference between NAFLD and non-NAFLD subgroups was analyzed by t-test and z-test.Results The prevalence of NAFLD IR and hypertension in T2DM subjects were found to be 73 81 and 80 respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of these between male amp female. However the prevalence of obesity and central obesity was significantly high in females. The comparison between NAFLD and non-NAFLD subgroups showed significantly high prevalence of IR hypertension obesity central obesity elevated SGPT and TG in NAFLD group. However there was no significant difference in mean values of serum biochemical parameters except TG VLDL and SGPT. NAFLD showed strong association with IR OR 13.ConclusionThe study indicated high prevalence of NAFLD and IR and strong association between them in diabetic population.