Fatty liver disease in Sudan is not alcohol related

Background : The finding of fatty liver disease (FLD) has generally been assumed to be a consequence of ethanol ingestion. However, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was identified as a specific entity. Although FLD is generally no progressive or only slowly progressive, cirrhosis and HCC can develop. Objectives : The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence, clinical presentation and aetiology of FLD in Sudanese patients. Methods : This is a descriptive cross sectional study which included 100 patients with FLD detected by Ultrasonography at the national center for gastro-intestinal and liver diseases. Data was collected using a well designed questionnaire and results were analyzed by using SPSS computer system. Results : Out of 1800 patients with liver disease, 100 were found to have FLD. These have no sex difference. Their mean age was 49.8 ± 15.2 years. The main presenting symptoms were upper abdominal pain (60 %) and fatigability in (41 %). while (7 %) were asymptomatic. Hepatomegaly was clinically detected in (44 %). Ninety out of these 100 patients had non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this group (42 %) were diabetics and (55 %) had hyperlipidemia. A BMI of > 25kg / m2 was detected in 47 % of patients. In patients with FLD and a BMI < 18kg / m2 underlying diagnoses were made. Six patients had liver biopsy only two of them proved to have NASH. Conclusion : Fatty liver disease is not uncommon in Sudan and most of the patients’ diseases are non-alcohol related.