State of Knowledge on the Metabolic Syndrome and NASH in the Ivorian Population: Case of People Attending the Diabetology Endocrinology Service of the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Yopougon (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (NASH), characterized by an excessive accumulation of lipids in the liver, is strongly associated with Metabolic Syndrome, which groups together a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors that make it an emerging public health problem on a global scale. The objective of this study was to review the state of knowledge on Metabolic Syndrome and NASH in the Ivorian population. It was a retrospective study conducted over a period of 2 months at the Diabetes Endocrinology Department of the University Hospital Centre (CHU) of Yopougon. It included all patients of any age and sex who were hospitalized or received consultation. The criteria of the Metabolic Syndrome defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) were used to define and calculate the prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome. Our study found a prevalence of 18.66% of Metabolic Syndrome according to the IDF criteria and a prevalence of 3.33% of NASH in a population of 150 patients hospitalized or received in consultation. There was a predominance of women and older subjects, so the current level of knowledge about Metabolic Syndrome and NASH was low in our study population with only 12%. Indeed, patients over 50 years of age were at higher risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome and NASH. Apart from hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity and arterial hypertension were the most common criteria. Finally, age and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH). However, the awareness of the population, the respect of food hygiene and the implementation of recommended strategies are essential elements in the eradication of these different pathologies.