M A G N E T I C R E S O N A N C E I M A G I N G R O L E I N Q U A N T I F I C A T I O N O F L I V E R F A T I N D I A B E T I C P A T I E N T S IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE

Abstract

Introduction: Liver steatosis, a condition characterized by excessive liver fat accumulation, is linked to metabolic syndromes like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing liver steatosis, but it is invasive and carries risks. Advanced MRI techniques, like Proton Density Fat Fraction (PDFF), offer accurate, non-invasive measurements of hepatic fat. This study aims to assess the utility of MRI in measuring liver fat in diabetic patients, a
population prone to liver steatosis. Conventional MRI techniques have limitations, such as reduced accuracy and confounding factors. Objectives: to quantify liver fat using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in diabetic patients and investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and relationship between diabetes mellitus and fatty liver disease. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted to quantify hepatic fat using MRI in diabetic cases A total of 60 cases were included. MRI Procedure: Based on inclusion criteria with informed consent MRI was taken with the required MR sequences. Results: On assessing the association between the age and two groups (DM present and DM absent), there was no remarkable association, noted. On assessing the association between the gender and two groups(DM present and DM absent), there was no remarkable association, noted. Mean difference in BMI between groups was not significant. On assessing the association between the grades of steatosis among the diabetics and non diabetics, there was a remarkable association, noted. Mean PDFF in the diabetic cases were 21.4% and non diabetic cases were 15.6%. Mean difference in PDFF between groups was significant. Among diabetic individuals, the mean PDFF was reported as 18.3 and 22.3 among the steatosis grades < 2 and ≥ 2, respectively. Notably, the mean difference in PDFF was significantly differs with severity of steatosis. Among non diabetic individuals, the mean PDFF were 12.3 and 16.3 among the steatosis grade < 2 and ≥ 2, respectively. On assessing the mean difference there was a significant difference noted. Conclusions: Severity of steatosis and PDFF were significantly linked with the presence of DM. We infer that all cases with diabetes mellitus showed remarkably high PDFF and hence all subjects with DM can be subjected for assessment of PDFF, periodically. Additionally, long term multicentric studies can be performed in order to get a in depth picture.