Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors among Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome, one of the manifestations of chronic liver disease have become emerging problems of both low and middle-income countries and it is becoming the leading cause of morbidity and mortality both with the individual risk factors of dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension and central obesity. Currently there is no accepted central underling mechanism and researches have shown a link between metabolic syndrome and liver disease. Further studies are important to manage these risks of cardiovascular disease. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the magnitude of metabolic syndrome and associated factors among chronic liver patients attending at the gastroenterology clinic of Jimma medical center. Materials and Methods: 83 patients with chronic liver disease were included and Hospital based cross sectional study was used in the study. National cholesterol education program adult treatment panel III and international diabetic federation criteria was used to assess metabolic syndrome. Socio demographic characteristics were collected through interviewer-administrated questionnaire adapted from world health organization stepwise tools. Measurements for anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were taken using aneroid sphygmomanometer and standard anthropometric measuring instruments respectively. Clinical history of patients was also reviewed from their chart. Laboratory test was done to assess biochemical parameters by taking blood sample of patients. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20. Ethical clearance from Jimma University institute of review board and formal written consent from study participants was obtained. Result: Out of the total 83 participants metabolic syndrome was found in 26(31.3%) and 32(38.6%) according to the NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria respectively. Body mass index AOR (95% CI): 6.2(1.7-22.25) P-value = 0.005, Total cholesterol AOR (95% CI): 3.9(1.2-13.27), P-value = 0.024, Very low-density lipoprotein AOR (95% CI): 6.04(1.58-23.09), P-value =0.008 were the variables that become associated with metabolic syndrome in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion and Recommendation: Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in patients with liver disease. A comprehensive medical care approach to liver patients is important to adequately assess and address the additional components of metabolic syndrome, which has known to potentiate cardiovascular disease.