Non-invasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis Using Shear Wave Elastography in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Having Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequently coexist due to overlapping risk factors such as metabolic syndrome and obesity. T2DM exacerbates the progression of NAFLD, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, early detection of liver fibrosis is crucial to prevent severe liver disease. A 2D shear wave elastography (2D SWE) has emerged as a reliable non-invasive method for assessing liver stiffness, potentially reducing the need for liver biopsies and facilitating prompt treatment interventions. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted over 18 months, included 100 T2DM and NAFLD patients from the Medicine and Diabetes Outpatient Department at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chengalpattu, India. Participants underwent gray-scale ultrasound to classify fatty liver (Grades I, II, and III) and 2D SWE to evaluate liver stiffness. Additional data on fasting and postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles, liver function tests, and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The mean age of participants was 47.9 years, with 61% being male. Fatty liver Grades I, II, and III were present in 47%, 41%, and 12% of patients, respectively. SWE results showed that 30% had stiffness values <5 kPa, 53% had values between 5.1-9 kPa, 16% had values between 9.1-13 kPa, and 1% had values >13 kPa. Liver size increased significantly with fatty liver grade (p=0.029). HbA1c levels and blood glucose levels were significantly correlated with fatty liver grades (p<0.0001). Triglyceride levels were higher with increasing fatty liver grades (p<0.0001). A significant correlation was found between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and SWE values (p=0.04). In the lipid profile, significant correlations were noted between SWE values and triglycerides (p=0.005), cholesterol (p=0.026), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (p=0.131). Higher levels of HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, and postprandial blood sugar were also significantly correlated with SWE values (p<0.0001). Increasing grades of hepatic steatosis significantly correlated with SWE values (p<0.0001). BMI positively correlated with SWE values (r=0.321, p=0.001). Conclusion This study highlights the prevalence of advanced liver stiffness in patients with T2DM and NAFLD, which correlates significantly with higher grades of fatty liver, elevated HbA1c, blood sugar levels, and abnormal lipid profiles. SWE is a valuable tool for assessing liver stiffness and guiding the management of NAFLD in patients with T2DM.