Fatty liver disease in Sudan is not alcohol related

Abstract

Background: The finding of fatty liver disease (FLD) has generally been assumed to be a consequence of ethanol ingestion. However, non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was identified as a specific entity. Although FLD is generally nonprogressive or only slowly progressive, cirrhosis and HCC can develop.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence, clinical presentation and aetiology of FLD in Sudanese patients.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study which included 100 patients with FLD detected by ultrasonography at the national center for gastro-intestinal and liver diseases. Data was collected using a well designed questionnaire and results were analyzed by using SPSS computer system.
Results: Out of 1800 patients with liver disease, 100 were found to have FLD. These have no sex difference. Their mean age was 49.8 ±15.2 years. The main presenting symptoms were upper abdominal pain (60%) and fatigability in (41%). while (7%) were asymptomatic. Hepatomegaly was clinically detected in (44%). Ninety out of these 100 patients had non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this group (42%) were diabetics and (55%) had hyperlipidemia. A BMI of > 25kg/m² was detected in 47% of patients. In patients with FLD and a BMI <18kg/m² underlying diagnoses were made. Six patients had liver biopsy only two of them proved to have NASH.
Conclusion: Fatty liver disease is not uncommon in Sudan and most of the patients' diseases are non-alcohol related.

Sudan Journal of Medical Science Vol. 1 (2) December 2006: 97-102