TITLE:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Hepatic Steatosis in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in Cameroon: Cases of 4 Reference Hospitals
AUTHORS:
Winnie Tatiana Bekolo Nga, Martine Claude Etoa, Bidjogo Gwet Marina, Servais A. F. Eloumou Bagnaka, Antonin Wilson Ndjitoyap Ndam, Agnès Malongue, Mathurin Kowo, Christian Tzeuton, Dominique Noah Noah, Oudou Njoya, Firmin Ankouane Andoulo, Luma H. Namme
KEYWORDS:
Hepatic Steatosis, Metabolic Syndrome, Prevalence, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
13,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and its prevalence increases with that of metabolic syndrome and its components. NAFLD is associated with complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Diagnosis is mainly based on liver biopsy, but there are validated non-invasive methods. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of metabolic steatopathy in patients with metabolic syndrome in Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted over a 6-month period from January 1st, 2019, to August 31st, 2022. Included were patients with metabolic syndrome who had consulted in endocrinology or gastroenterology at Yaoundé Central Hospital, Douala General Hospital and Douala Gyneco-obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made on abdominal ultrasound in front of a homogeneous or heterogeneous hyperechogenic aspect of the hepatic parenchyma compared to that of the right renal cortex called “brilliant liver” and fibrosis evaluated through non-invasive scores (Fib4 and NALFD Fibrosis score). Logistic regression by a uni- and multivariate analysis made it possible to search for the associated factors. Results. We included 133 patients. The female sex represented 64.7%. The mean age was 55 ± 9 years. The prevalence of NAFLD was 48.9%. At the evaluation of fibrosis was significant according to FIB-4 and NAFLD fibrosis score respectively in 6.2% and 4.6% of cases. The independently associated factors were Triglyceridemia ≤ 1.5 g/l (OR = 0.33; 95% CI [0.11 - 0.95]; p = 0.04) and LDL hypercholesterolemia (OR = 2.94; 95% CI [1.07 - 8.11]; p = 0.036). Conclusion: NAFLD was present in almost half of patients with metabolic syndrome. We had very few patients with significant fibrosis, but it needs to be further evaluated. The associated factors are hypertriglyceridemia and LDL hypercholesterolemia.