Prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a general population of North Karnataka

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the general population of North Karnataka. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in the city of Belagavi, where in total of 730 subjects were included. The subjects were screened for the presence of liver disease with a detailed history, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests including liver function tests, lipid profile, and blood sugars, liver stiffness was measured by using the fibroscan. Out of 730 subjects, 228 (31.23%) had significant fibrosis suggestive of NASH on fibroscan. Of these 138 (60.52%) were males and 90(39.47%) were females. Of the total number of subjects having NASH 52 (22.80%) were diabetics and 64 (28.07%) were hypertensive. The study also revealed as the body mass index (BMI) increases the proportion of subjects with abnormal liver enzymes and significant liver fibrosis increased proportionately suggestive of NASH. Also, a small number of subjects (22.6%) with low or normal BMI had features suggestive of lean NASH. The incidence of NASH in the general population of North Karnataka is 31.23% This high incidence could be due to the prevailing growing epidemic of diabetes mellitus and obesity in the community.