ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND ITS CORRELATION WITH BODY MASS INDEX AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS: A CLINICO-RADIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Fatty liver disease is commonly identified during abdominal ultrasonography and is frequently associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and abnormal liver function tests. Since many patients remain asymptomatic, imaging plays an important role in early recognition of hepatic steatosis.

Aim: To evaluate the ultrasonographic grading of fatty liver disease and correlate it with body mass index and liver function test abnormalities.

Methods: A hospital-based clinico-radiological observational study was conducted among 140 adult patients diagnosed with fatty liver disease on abdominal ultrasonography in the Department of Radiodiagnosis during 2011. Detailed clinical history, body mass index, associated diabetes mellitus, liver function tests, and ultrasonographic findings were recorded. Fatty liver was graded as Grade I, Grade II, or Grade III according to hepatic echogenicity, visualization of intrahepatic vessels, and posterior acoustic attenuation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 16. The Chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used as appropriate. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of participants was 46.8 ± 11.4 years, and male predominance was observed. Grade II fatty liver was the most common ultrasonographic finding, followed by Grade I disease. Higher grades of fatty liver were associated with increased body mass index and diabetes mellitus. Elevated alanine aminotransferase was the most frequently observed liver function abnormality. Serum ALT demonstrated a significant positive correlation with ultrasonographic grade of fatty liver disease.

Conclusion: Ultrasonography is a practical, accessible, and non-invasive modality for detection and grading of fatty liver disease. Increasing ultrasonographic severity was associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus, and abnormal liver enzyme levels. Early identification of fatty liver provides an opportunity for appropriate clinical evaluation and metabolic risk factor modification.