Rate of Fatty Liver Disease in Najran Patients between 20-60 Years Old at King Khalid Hospital (Dec 2011-Dec 2012)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of liver examination by ultrasound in Najran patients during the period Dec 2011- Dec 2012, specifically to discover the rate of incidence of fatty liver and its relationship to risk factors. This is a retrospective, descriptive and quantitative case series using data collected from King Khalid hospital in Najran during the period Dec 2011- Dec 2012, where 957 patients had undergone ultrasound examination for different abdominal diseases. Data of this study was collected using a check list from the PACS (picture archive and communicating system) and the results were analyzed by using SPSS computer system. Data for a total of 957 patients who had completed abdominal ultrasound were collected. 319 were found to have fatty liver as diagnosed by ultrasound. The mean age of the study group was (49.6 ± 14.1), the mean weight was (78± 6.12), and an elevated level of ALT (alanine aminotransferase ), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) was detected in 55.7 % and 43.2% respectively . A BMI (Body mass index) > 25kg/m2 was detected in 80 % of the patient. The prevalence of NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease) was 33.3 % and it was more common in females (178, 55.4%) than in males (141, 44.1%). It is highest in the age group 40-60 years old. Diabetes was present in 24.1 % (77 patients with high fasting glucose), obesity in 45.7% (147 patients). Of the all patients, high cholesterol was present in 23, 7 % of the total. The prevalence of fatty liver in Najran patients is high. It is more common in the female than male. Obesity and diabetes are the common risk factors associated with fatty liver disease.