This study was presented at the 11th JPEF Annual Diabetes Convention organized by Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centre in Trivandrum and received the second prize among oral presentations.

      Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) refers to excessive fat accumulation in the liver cells of individuals who consume little to no alcohol. This condition can progress to a more severe form known as Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by liver inflammation. NASH can further lead to advanced scarring within the liver, ultimately resulting in liver failure, known as Liver Cirrhosis. NAFLD is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and its occurrence is faster in the presence of diabetes, obesity, and/or metabolic syndrome. According to 2022 statistics, almost half of the patients living with diabetes in India have NAFLD. Early detection and appropriate treatment of NAFLD are crucial to managing this condition effectively.

      Aspartate transaminase/platelet ratio index (APRI Score) and Fibrotest are the recommended non-invasive tests for cirrhosis by the Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL). NAFLD Fibrosis score (NFS) and FIB-4 Score are other scores gaining momentum in assessing the burden of liver disease.

      At the out-patient departments of StarMax Specialty Clinic, Kandivali, and Alexis Diabetes Clinic, Malad, a screening camp was conducted to detect NAFLD in patients with diabetes, obesity, and/or metabolic syndrome. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM score) was performed using vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), a standard method for non-invasive assessment of liver stiffness. The device, Fibroscan, also measured the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score, which is patented to assess liver steatosis.

      Among the 10 patients (6 females and 4 males) who participated in the study, 70% were detected with fatty liver Grades I to III, and 60% of them required either treatment or referral to a hepatologist to prevent the progression to NASH. The study also revealed that there was no age association with either LSM or CAP scores. The non-invasive technique of fibroscan proved helpful in detecting existing fatty liver in people with diabetes who were unaware of their condition, enabling early intervention to halt the progression of their liver disease.