Abstract

LACLE-MURRAY, Adriana; ESQUIVEL-CHAVERRI, Marco; MADRIGAL-LOPEZ, Mauricio  and  ALPIZAR-CHACON, Carlos. Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2014, vol.56, n.1, pp.17-22. ISSN 0001-6002.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and there is increasing evidence that it progresses to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. This condition is very common in diabetics. Given that type 2 diabetes is a highly prevalent chronic disease in the Costa Rican population (10.8% in adults) and that it generates a high negative impact on its health system and mortality rate; it was considered important to determine the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (including esteatohepatitis) in this specific population. Methods: A representative sample of diabetic patients (n= 268) of an urban health area (Área 1 de Desamparados) at the primary level was characterized according to its socio-demographic profile, metabolic control, and comorbidity. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was documented through a liver ultrasound and liver enzyme tests were performed to diagnose esteatohepatitis (NASH). Results: Diabetics were characterized as predominantly female (66.5%), with a mean age of 65.4 years, with low education levels and low and middle income. Prevalence for NAFDL was 72.3% and 14.1% for NASH. NAFDL prevalence also increased significantly with the degree of obesity. Conclusion: In Costa Rica there is no data on the prevalence of NAFDL. This study has revealed that there is a high prevalence of NAFLD as comorbidity in diabetic patients and its strong association with obesity. Prevention of obesity at the primary health level should be considered as a first step in addressing this disease, as well as diabetes.

Keywords : Type 2 diabetes mellitus; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; prevalence; obesity.

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