Obesity has obtained an epidemic dimension in India in the 21st century, with 5% of the country’s population suffering from morbid obesity. NAFLD is now widely regarded as a manifestation of metabolic syndrome.

The incidence of steatosis is now proven to increase with obesity. A large population-based study described the evidence of steatosis in as large as 91% of obese individuals (BMI>30kg/m2) utilizing ultrasound.

Since India is witnessing a surge in the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus, obesity and insulin resistance from the last two decades it is rational to expect a surge in the incidence of NAFLD in India as well. However, the prevalence of NAFLD in India is less studied. Whether the clinicopathological profile of NAFLD in Indian patients differs significantly from that in the West remains a crucial topic warranting investigation.

A study determined the prevalence of NAFLD amongst a cohort of obese Indian patients and demonstrated its relation with other components of the metabolic syndrome. It enrolled 60 adult obese patients who were subjected to a detailed history, clinical exam, anthropometric study and laboratory workup. Liver function and components of the metabolic syndrome like blood pressure, glycemic status and lipid profile were thoroughly assessed. 

The enrolled participants were then categorized into-

• Group A- individuals with NAFLD (n=48)
• Group B- individuals without NAFLD (n=12). 

And were subjected to comparison among themselves.

The observations were as follows-

• A significant difference between the Body mass index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio; and the mean triglyceride values were observed between the two groups. 
• No significant difference in the mean bilirubin levels, while a significant difference between the mean levels of SGOT and SGPT was found between the two groups.
• No significant difference in the values of alkaline phosphatase and synthetic liver functions was found between the two groups.
• A very significant difference in the mean liver span was found between the two groups.

It was thus concluded that NAFLD is common in Indian obese populations and is linked with significant differences in the anthropometric, clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic features contrasting obese individuals not affected with liver disease.

Source: Patell R, Dosi R, Joshi H, Sheth S, Shah P, Jasdanwala S. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Obesity. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(1):62-66. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/6691.3953