A Study on levels of Uric acid, liver enzymes and lipid profile variations in patients with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and Healthy volunteers in rural areas

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered as a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of NAFLD is ranging from 38-48%. Serum uric acid, LFT levels have been suggested to be associated with factors that contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of serum uric acid, LFT levels and body mass index (BMI) with NAFLD compared to healthy volunteers. Methods:  A total number of 100 subjects, who attended for the General check up in GEMS Hospitals, Srikakulam, 50 patients with NAFLD and 50 healthy subjects. NAFLD was diagnosed based on the abdominal ultrasonographic findings. BMI and serum uric acid, liver enzymes, lipid profile were also measured in all the study participants. Uric acid quartiles were categorized into four groups, and the number of subjects, who came under each group, was noted. 57% of NAFLD patients had normal ALT between 25 and 40 U/L, 53% of NAFLD subjects had normal GGT between 15 and 30 U/L. ALT <25 U/L and GGT <15 U/L had highest negative predictivity whereas ALT >40 U/L and GGT > 30 U/L had highest positive predictivity for presence of NAFLD in our study sample. Results: The mean BMI (kg/m²) for cases was 27.01 ± 3.53 and the same for controls was 23.91 ± 3.11. Elevated BMI was associated with an increased incidence of NAFLD with a statistical significance (p < 0.05).The mean uric acid concentration (mg/dl) for cases was 5.73 ± 1.57, and for controls was 4.69 ± 0.91. Increased serum uric acid concentration was associated with an increased incidence of NAFLD with a statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that elevated BMI is associated with an increased incidence of NAFLD. Serum uric acid levels are significantly associated with NAFLD, and high uric acid levels showed a high incidence of NAFLD compared to low serum uric acid level.