Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Limbe Regional Hospital, Southwest, Cameroon

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by combinations of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a public health problem worldwide and affects up to 70% of patients with T2DM. Although patients with T2DM have an increased risk of developing advanced liver disease compared to healthy individuals, varying prevalence rates of NAFLD among patients with T2DM, ranging from 34% to 94%, have been reported. AIM To determine prevalence and identify associated factors of NAFLD among Limbe patients with T2DM and evaluate correlation with glycemic control. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out from February to June 2024 among patients with T2DM. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity and serum triglycerides (TGs) were measured by spectrophotometry. NAFLD was diagnosed using the fatty liver index score. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 for Windows. Student's t-test was used to compare the means of two groups. The chi 2 test was applied to determine the association of NAFLD and T2DM. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of NAFLD. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of the 150 patients with T2DM recruited for this study, 63 (58%) were females and the majority (84.7%) had good glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin < 7%). Prevalence of NAFLD among patients with T2DM was 19%. Patients with NAFLD had significantly elevated levels of TGs, GGT, and increased body mass index and waist circumference compared to those without NAFLD. There was a significant association between NAFLD and glycemic control. Predictive factors of NAFLD among patients with T2DM were vegetable intake of less than three times per week [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.131, 95%CI: 0.020-0.839; P = 0.032], central obesity (aOR: 0.167, 95%CI: 0.037-0.748; P = 0.019), and metformin treatment for T2DM (aOR: 0.167, 95%CI: 0.037-0.718; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The prevalence of NAFLD in patients with T2DM in Limbe Regional Hospital was 19%. Age, central obesity, metformin use, and infrequent consumption of vegetables were important predictors of NAFLD.