ISSN : 2663-2187

Assessing Knowledge Gaps in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Umm-e-Habiba Aamir, Dr. Fatima Inayatullah, Shahzadi Areeba Aamir, Nimrah Shahid, Aima Azhar, Maham Shahid
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.15.2024.9028-9040

Abstract

There is growing evidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) acting as a major comorbidity amongst Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients even though there’s poor information on it. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of NAFLD awareness in patients with T2DM and identify its demographic and clinical determinants. In this context, a cross-sectional survey including 300 diagnosed T2DM subjects attending a tier three level health care facility was undertaken. The study utilized a secure instrument to evaluate the levels of awareness and correlation of some demographic and clinical parameters with demographic and clinical characteristics such as HbA1c, BMI, and liver function. Only 35 percent of the respondents were aware that drugs can treat the liver in complete obesity. Thus, greater awareness was conversely associated with lower HbA1c (p=0.01), normal BMI (p=0.03), and education status (p<0.001). As well patients who had routine follow-ups with health professionals were more aware of the disease (p=0.02). Therefore, the results emphasize the need for educational programs directed toward the achievement of increased awareness of NAFLD risks in patients with T2DM. This study adds to the literature the more level of awareness observed and the associated health indicators which are in poor nutrition treatment practice.

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