Ultrasound Evaluation of Fatty Liver and Its Correlation with BMI and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Fatty liver is increasingly recognized as a common hepatic manifestation of metabolic dysfunction and is closely associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus. Ultrasonography is a widely available and non-invasive tool for its detection.

Aim: To evaluate fatty liver by ultrasound and correlate its presence and severity with body mass index (BMI) and diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at KIMS, Amalapuram, from November 2018 to May 2019. A total of 115 adult participants underwent abdominal ultrasonography. Fatty liver was diagnosed based on increased hepatic echogenicity and graded as mild, moderate, or severe. BMI was calculated using standard formulae, and diabetic status was recorded from clinical history and laboratory data. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and independent sample t-test, with P < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Fatty liver was detected in 61 (53.0%) participants. Mild fatty liver was the most common grade (29.6%), followed by moderate (17.4%) and severe (6.1%). Fatty liver showed a significant association with BMI category (χ² = 24.87, P < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (χ² = 11.53, P = 0.001). Mean BMI was significantly higher among participants with fatty liver.

Conclusion: Ultrasound-detected fatty liver was significantly associated with increasing BMI and diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Fatty liver; Ultrasonography; Body mass index; Diabetes mellitus; Hepatic steatosis