Fatty Liver Disease and its correlates among People Living with HIV/AIDS attending Care and Treatment Clinic at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Introduction: Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) is projected to be the leading cause of chronic liver disease among People living with HIV (PLHIV) Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors for Fatty Liver Diseases among People living with HIV attending Care and Treatment Clinic at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Materials and methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2020. Consenting adults aged ≥18 years and living with HIV were enrolled in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, anthropometric measurements and clinical characteristics. Patients were fasted for a minimum of 8 hours before undergoing an abdominal USS, using B-mode and 3.5 MHz convex probe transducer (Dawei-DW 580, China, 2020) was done by a single trained investigator. FLD was defined as increase in liver echogenicity compared to the right kidney. Interpretation of USS images was done by a trained investigator and senior radiologist .Independent predictors of FLD were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression; p value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 454 patients were enrolled into the study. FLD was seen in 118 patients, making a prevalence of 25.9% (95% CI 22.0%-30.3%). Age group 40-60 years (aOR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02 – 2.96 p=0.043), overweight (aOR 1.92; 95%CI: 1.05-3.51: p =0.034), obesity (aOR 3.46; 95% CI: 1.80 – 6.65: p < 0.001) and dyslipidemia (a OR: 2.63 95%CI: 1.58-4.39; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with FLD. HIV viral load status, duration on combination antiretroviral therapy had no association with FLD. . Conclusion and Recommendations: One out of four PLHIV had FLD. Factors associated with FLD were age 40-60 years, overweight, obesity and dyslipidemia. We recommend weight reduction and regular screening for FLD among PLHIV with above risk factors.