A Study Of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In A Semi Urban Health Facility With Special Reference To Dietary Practice Socio Economic Factors And Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a newlinespectrum of liver disease that includes asymptomatic steatosis on one hand newlineand non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on the other. It can eventually lead newlineto cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is strongly associated newlinewith metabolic syndrome and has become a matter of global concern newlineincluding India and other South-East Asian countries. newlineMost persons with NAFLD are asymptomatic and are often diagnosed newlineincidentally with elevated liver enzymes detected during routine health check newlineup, investigation of non specific symptoms, on imaging or on liver biopsies newlineperformed for other conditions. newlineWith the increasing incidence of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and newlinehypertension which are called diseases of civilization , incidence of NAFLD in newlineour population is predicted to increase in the future. Data related to newlineprevalence of NAFLD in Asian populations are limited. Data related to newlineepidemiological factors pertaining to NAFLD in India, especially in coastal newlineKarnataka, are also very limited. Present study was hence designed to study newlinethe prevalence of NAFLD in semi-urban population undergoing abdominal newlinescan and its correlation with dietary habits, socio economic factors and newlinemetabolic syndrome. newline