The frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese young medical professionals

Abstract

Abstract This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from July 16, 2018 to January 15, 2019 to observe the frequency of occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese young medical professionals. One hundred and fifty-three subjects were selected using Simple Random Sampling Technique. SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyse the data. Out of a total of 153 medical professionals, 67 (43.8%) were males and 86 (56.2%) were females, median age was 23 years (inter-quartile range of 5 years), mean BMI was 22.79 + 1.57 kg/m2, 122 (79.7%) subjects had normal texture of liver on ultrasonography and normal ALT levels, 21 (13.7%) had fatty liver with normal ALT levels, and 10 (6.5%) had fatty liver and elevated ALT levels (NASH). NAFLD and NASH are common ultrasonographic findings in seemingly healthy young adults with normal BMI. Awareness programmes should be carried out at the national level to educate the general public about the prevention and treatment of this disease through lifestyle and dietary modifications. Continuous...