THE ASSOCIATION OF SERUM URIC ACID WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE – A CASE CONTROL STUDY IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NORTH KARNATAKA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Need for the study: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most prevalent causes of liver cirrhosis in the world. [1] Cell line studies show - Higher uric acid induces hepatocyte fat accumulation. [2] Uric acid induces hepatic steatosis by generation of mitochondrial oxidative stress. [3]. This prompts the need for further research.   METHODS: Source of data: The data is sourced from the patients visiting the department of General medicine in HSK Hospital, SNMC, Bagalkot. Inclusion criteria: Adults - aged more than 18 and less than 60 years. Cases – ultrasonological features of fatty liver. Controls – Age and gender matched individuals with no ultrasonological liver abnormality. Exclusion criteria: History of alcohol consumption. Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C reactive patients. Those suffering from viral hepatitis. History of cancer. Those on medications that lead to hyperuricemia.   RESULTS: 1. The mean uric acid levels were 6.4 ± 2.3 in cases compared to 3.9 ± 1.6 in the controls. The difference in between these levels (overall) is statistically significant with a p values of <0.001. The mean uric acid levels among those with normal echogenecity was 3.87 ± 1.63, vs. those with grade 1 fatty liver changes who had levels of 5.96 ± 2.05 and those with grade 2 having values of 8 ± 2.53. INTERPRETATION: As per the analysis a higher mean value of Serum uric acid is associated with an increasing grade of fatty liver. The findings of the study have both diagnostic and therapeutic applicability.   CONCLUSION: The study performed shows a statistically significant association between the levels of serum uric acid and the presence of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with elevated levels correlating with the presence of the condition and higher serum levels corresponding with increased grades of NAFLD.