Metabolic syndrome and biochemical changes among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients attending a tertiary care hospital of Nepal

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mutually and bidirectionally linked with metabolic syndrome (MetS) of which it is both the cause and the consequences. Worldwide, 6.3 to 33% of the general populations are estimated to suffer from the disease with even higher prevalence in the group sharing metabolic co-morbidities. Hence, this study aims to recognize various risk factors including metabolic components and blood parameters to predict the possible incidence of the disease. Methods Total of 429 (219 NAFLD and 210 control) subjects were conveniently selected for study during the period of 9 months. Diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was done by liver imaging and based on liver enzymes. Assessment of metabolic syndrome was done by International Diabetic Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. All biochemical and hematological parameters and liver enzymes were estimated by using standard guideline. Mean comparison of quantitative data in different groups were performed using analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Risk estimation of NAFLD associated with each character was verified by Chi-square test. Results There was significant high levels of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and lipid profiles in NAFLD patients in comparison to control population (p