Lipid profile, insulin resistance & non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among type 2 diabetes patients getting treatment in Jaffna

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses a significant global public health challenge, affecting approximately 10.2 % of adults by 2030. Insulin Resistance (IR) is an impaired or subnormal biologic response to insulin stimulation of target tissues. IR alters the mechanisms involved in lipid metabolism in the adipose tissue and liver leading to dyslipidaemia and accumulation of fat in the liver (NAFLD). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has an estimated global prevalence of 25 %. NAFLD is identified frequently on ultrasonography examination of the abdomen of patients with DM because of associated insulin resistance and obesity.

Methodology

This study conducted at TH Jaffna aimed to assess the lipid profile status of type 2 diabetic patients undergoing treatment, and its association with Insulin Resistance and NAFLD.

Result

In a cross-sectional analytical study of 112 diabetic patients (average age 58.26 years, 61.6 % female), a significant prevalence of insulin resistance (70.5 %) and NAFLD (77.7 %) was observed, with comorbid dyslipidaemia in 51.7 % of patients. No gender-based difference in lipid profile parameters was found. Total cholesterol, LDL, and TG were mostly within non dyslipidaemic levels, while HDL levels were low. There is a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between prevalence of NAFLD and HDL. Duration of diabetes had minimal impact on lipid profile parameters.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex interplay between lipid profile, insulin resistance, and NAFLD is crucial for better patient outcomes. Our study revealed a significant number of type 2 DM patients exhibited insulin resistance (70.5 %) and NAFLD (77.7 %), with a majority having comorbid dyslipidaemia (51.7 %). Larger clinical study at multicentre level is needed to validate the study's findings.