Study of Association of Lipid Profile and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a major health burden in the modern era. Majority of cases of NAFLD are relatively mild and have a benign course. Many studies have reported positive correlation between dyslipidemia and NAFLD. Hence we intend to study association of dyslipidemia and NAFLD, so that occurrence of fatty liver can be prevented by treating dyslipidemia.

Materials & methods: This was a descriptive study done on 100 patients with sonologically detected Fatty Liver visiting the outpatient services of a tertiary medical college hospital in a city located on west coast of India. The ethics committee approval was obtained. The purpose of study was explained to the patient and informed consent was obtained. Fasting lipid profile was done in these patients. Then the lipid profile and the grades of fatty liver were compared. The data collected were analysed by frequency and percentage.

Results: Elevated triglyceride levels were seen in 52% of patients with Grade 1, 76% with Grade 2 and 96% with Grade 3 fatty liver. Also elevated Total Cholesterol was seen in 48% of patients with Grade 1, 71% with Grade 2 and 93% with Grade 3 fatty liver. Low HDL level was seen in 45% of patients with Grade 1, 36% with Grade 2 and 62% with Grade 3 fatty liver. LDL level was increased in 47% of patients with Grade 1, 74% with Grade 2 and 92% with Grade 3 fatty liver. Also increased VLDL level was seen in 46% of patients with Grade 1, 74% with Grade 2 and 93% with Grade 3 fatty liver.

Conclusion: The increasing grades of Fatty Liver were associated with elevated serum total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and low HDL. Hence the grades of NAFLD were directly related to the increasing levels of Serum Cholesterol.