The Ultrasonographic Correlation of Hepatic Steatosis with Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Hepatic steatosis, commonly known as fatty liver disease, represents a significant public health challenge, increasingly associated with metabolic syndromes such as hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study investigates the prevalence of hepatic steatosis via ultrasonography and its correlations with hypertension and T2DM in a diverse patient cohort in Pakistan. Objective: To elucidate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis detected through ultrasonography and its association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus among patients at a teaching hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: Conducted from March 2023 to January 2024, this cross-sectional analysis involved 850 patients from the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital's radiology department. Utilizing non-purposive convenience sampling, individuals with critical conditions, trauma, significant alcohol consumption, or a history of specific liver diseases were excluded. Diagnostic criteria for hypertension and diabetes mellitus were based on standard blood pressure and glucose level thresholds, respectively. Abdominal ultrasonography was employed to identify hepatic steatosis. Statistical analysis was executed using SPSS version 16.0, with the Fisher exact test determining significant associations. Results: Hepatic steatosis was present in 340 (40%) of the patients. Age distribution showed a pronounced prevalence in individuals aged 40-60 years, with 175 patients (51.5% of those with hepatic steatosis) falling within this range. The gender split was relatively even, debunking any significant gender predisposition in this cohort. Among the hepatic steatosis group, hypertension was diagnosed in 204 patients (60%), and T2DM was identified in 230 patients (67.6%). These figures starkly contrast with the non-steatotic group, where hypertension and T2DM prevalences were 30% and 28.9%, respectively, suggesting a strong correlation between hepatic steatosis and these metabolic conditions. Notably, the average age of patients with hepatic steatosis was 44.65 ± 18.8 years. Conclusion: The study underscores a significant association between hepatic steatosis and the concurrent diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, accentuating the condition's prevalence in middle-aged individuals. These findings highlight the critical need for integrated screening programs, encompassing ultrasonographic hepatic assessments in patients diagnosed with or at risk for metabolic syndromes, to facilitate early intervention and prevent progression.