Correlates of nonalcoholic fatty liver among women receiving residential mental health care

Abstract

Purpose: To review the risk factors for diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women in a mental health, dual diagnosis, treatment facility.

Data sources: A review of the literature and retrospective chart reviews of patients to identify factors within this population of women most closely associated with diagnosis of NAFLD.

Conclusions: NAFLD is a common diagnosis and as obesity rates increase in the United States the incidence for this disease is also increasing. Identifiable risk factors are associated with the presence of this disease. Advanced practice nurses, as prescribers, need to be aware that the presence of NAFLD may interfere with drug metabolism and toxin elimination in their patients.

Implications for practice: Numerous physical conditions, behavioral symptoms, and laboratory findings are identified as associated conditions of NAFLD. Patients seen in primary care practices have NAFLD, but patients in treatment centers for mental health disorders are also affected. This population is particularly at risk because of the hepatotoxic effects of many medications used in psychiatric-mental health settings.

Keywords: Behavioral health; hyperlipidemia; insulin resistance; liver; midlife women; obesity; prescribing.