Comparison of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with And Without Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is often associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), both of which increase the risk of cardiovascular complications such as Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction (LVDD). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 T2DM patients, divided into two equal groups based on the presence (n=100) or absence (n=100) of NAFLD, diagnosed via abdominal ultrasonography. Clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic parameters were compared. LVDD was graded using standard echocardiographic criteria. Statistical significance was determined using chi-square and t-tests, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Results The mean age of participants was 56.84 ± 15.26 years, with no significant age or gender difference between the groups. Both groups were comparable in terms of BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, duration of diabetes, glycemic control, lipid profile, and liver enzymes. However, a significantly higher prevalence of LVDD was observed in the NAFLD group (33%) compared to the non-NAFLD group (20%), with Grade 2 dysfunction being notably more common (24% vs. 9%; P = 0.02). Conclusion NAFLD is independently associated with increased prevalence and severity of LVDD in patients with T2DM. These findings underscore the importance of routine echocardiographic screening in diabetic patients with NAFLD for early detection of subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Early identification and targeted intervention may reduce the risk of progression to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and improve cardiovascular outcomes in this high-risk population.