Hypothyroidism in Patients with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients diagnosed with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presenting at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, from January to July 2023, in the Department of Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Patients aged 20 to 60 years of either gender with a clinical diagnosis of NAFLD for at least three months were included. Each patient was evaluated for hypothyroidism through laboratory analysis of a 2cc venous blood sample, and relevant data were recorded using a predesigned proforma. Post-stratification associations were analyzed using chi-square test taking a p-value ? 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results: An overall mean age of the patients was 39.56 ± 10.45 years, comprising 54.7% males and 45.3% females. Overall hypothyroidism was detected in 93 individuals (38.0%). Additionally post-stratification analysis showed that hypothyroidism was significantly more common among females (57.9%), rural residents (54.4%), patients with longer disease duration, hypertension, obesity and smokers (p-0.001), while no significant difference was found across different age groups (p = 0.93).

Conclusion: A high frequency of hypothyroidism was observed among patients with NAFLD, suggesting a potential link between thyroid dysfunction and fatty liver disease.