Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Cuba.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Public Health
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 24% of adults globally, increasing with obesity rates.
• The prevalence and characteristics of NAFLD in Cuba were previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and personal habits of NAFLD patients in Cuban healthcare facilities.
• To assess the frequency and related conditions of NAFLD within the Cuban population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, multicenter study involving 1070 adult patients diagnosed with NAFLD via abdominal ultrasound.
• Data collected included personal habits, anthropometric measurements, clinical characteristics, and medical history.
• The study was conducted in gastroenterology outpatient clinics across nine hospitals in seven Cuban provinces from September 2018 to May 2019.

Main Results:

• The study included 1070 participants, with 60.7% being women, averaging 54.5 years old and a BMI of 30.5 kg/m2.
• High prevalence of overweight (37.1%), obesity (53.6%), sedentary lifestyle (88.3%), hypertension (52.7%), lipid disorders (37.9%), and diabetes (28.1%).
• Common symptoms included fatigue, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and hepatomegaly; 3.5% had liver cirrhosis at diagnosis. Family history of type 2 diabetes and obesity were significant.

Conclusions:

• NAFLD prevalence in Cuba aligns with Caribbean region rates, characterized by high obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
• The majority of NAFLD patients were asymptomatic, female, and presented with metabolic comorbidities.
• Key comorbidities include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, highlighting the link between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome.