RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND PULMONARY FUNCTION
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Keywords
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Hepatic steatosis, Respiratory function, Restrictive lung impairment
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder with extrahepatic manifestations, including potential effects on pulmonary function. This cross-sectional observational study evaluated 110 treatment-naïve patients with ultrasound-confirmed NAFLD to analyse the connection between hepatic steatosis severity and pulmonary function parameters, and to explore the mediating role of systemic inflammation. Hepatic fat was graded semi-quantitatively, and pulmonary function was evaluated by spirometry. Participants were stratified as lean or obese based on BMI index. Increased steatosis grade was associated with significantly lower FVC, FEV1, all p < 0.001. Obese NAFLD patients had more severe pulmonary impairment than lean individuals. These findings highlight hepatic steatosis as an independent determinant of pulmonary dysfunction in NAFLD, warranting routine respiratory evaluation.
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Dr. Himanshu Sharma
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj.)
Dr. Poonam Nagori
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj.)
Dr. Rinku Bansal
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj.)