Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients of metabolic syndrome in a rural population attending tertiary care centre

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis now constitute the major etiology of chronic liver disease. Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is rising due to the change in lifestyle habits, diet and obesity. Metabolic syndrome is closely related with the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Studies showed that prevalence of metabolic syndrome is rising in Indian population. This study was conducted to look into the current status of the metabolic syndrome in rural population.Methods: The study was conducted among patients attending General Medicine OPD. Each participant was subjected to clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations and abdominal ultrasound. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on modified NCEP:ATP III criteria.Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was found to be 18.78% and was higher among male population (20.05%) as compared to females (17.32%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among NAFLD and control groups were 42.74% and 17.91% respectively.Conclusions: Present study has shown moderate prevalence of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome among the rural population of western Uttar Pradesh with a more male predisposition.