Prevalence of and predictive factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Sudanese individuals with type 2 diabetes: is metabolic syndrome the culprit?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is a common global chronic liver condition. The prevalence of NAFLD among individuals with type 2 diabetes is estimated to be as high as 75%. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NAFLD among individuals with type 2 diabetes in Sudan. This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study, which was carried out at the Jabir Abu-Elizz diabetic centre in Khartoum; 167 outpatients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. NAFLD was diagnosed based on ultrasound, following exclusion of significant alcohol intake and secondary causes of liver diseases. NAFLD was defined as hepatic steatosis in the absence of alcohol intake, medication, previous liver disease and negative results for the serological test for hepatitis B and C. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for the development of NAFLD in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The number of female subjects was 89 [53.3%], and most subjects [145, 86.8%] were between the ages of 40 and 70 years. The overall prevalence of fatty liver among individuals with type 2 diabetes was found to be 50.3%. Age, duration of diabetes, hypertension and HbAlc levels appeared to have no impact on the prevalence of NAFLD. The possible predictors of NAFLD were overweight, obesity, central obesity, high triglyceride level and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c] level. A higher prevalence of NAFLD was observed in individuals with three components of the metabolic syndrome. NAFLD was observed in half of the diabetic population, and its occurrence correlates positively with metabolic syndrome risk factors

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] in a Sudanese population: What is the prevalence and risk factors?

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is a common clinical condition associated with obesity and considered as possible precursor of more serious disease like Non alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is very little research work carried concerning NAFLD in African countries in relation to prevalence and risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of NAFLD and risk factors among asymptomatic co-patients accompanying patients admitted to gastroenterology wards at the National Centre for GI and Liver Diseases, Ibn Sina Hospital [Khartoum, Sudan]. Subjects with liver disease, excess alcohol intake [the intake of more than 21 units of alcohol per week for men and 14 units for women per week] and pregnancy were excluded from this study. The age, sex, body mass index [BMI], history and duration of diabetes and hypertension were recorded. Ultrasound was offered followed by clinical examination and blood sample was taken for assessment of liver function from each subject [total number of participants was 100]. NAFLD was diagnosed in 20 patients, giving prevalence of 20%. There was no statistical significance between the two sexes. The mean age of subjects with NAFLD was 53 years old and without NAFLD was 40 years [p < 0.05]. Importantly, the prevalence of NAFLD increased with age and BMI. Due to small number of diabetic individuals and hypertension, these two conditions were not statistically significant when related to NAFLD. The estimated prevalence of NAFLD in our study is 20% and this figure is comparable to the prevalence of NAFLD in Asian countries. Males and females were nearly equally affected and the prevalence of NAFLD increased with age and BMI, malting obesity a main risk factor

prevalence of neurological complications among adult Sudanese patients with chronic liver disease

We aimed to study the prevalence of neurological complications among adult Sudanese patients with chronic liver disease [CLD] seen in Ibn Sina Hospital [Sudan] [February 2005 - February 2006]. This is a prospective descriptive cross sectional hospital based study. Ninety six adult Sudanese patients with CLD were included in the study. All patients had been subjected to full detailed history, proper clinical examination and necessary investigations including EEG, Brain CT, MRI, NCS and EMG. Male to female ratio was [2.5:1]. Splenomegally was observed in 71 patients [74%], shrunken liver in 83 [86.5%], 74 [77.1%] had ascites. Sixty percent had liver cirrhosis, 24% had cirrhosis with periportal fibrosis [PPF]. Hepatocellular Carcinoma [HCC] was detected in 12 patients. Out of 96 patients with CLD, neurological complications were detected in 44 [45.8%], acute hepatic encephalopathy ranging from grade I to grade IV was found to be the most common neurological complication [29 patients]. Neurological complications were common among adult Sudanese patient with chronic liver disease