Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Dec 2023)
Assessment of laboratory findings and liver elastography in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Abstract
Background and purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder worldwide. Fatty liver is more common in patients with metabolic syndrome, obese people, and type 2 diabetic individuals. Liver FibroScan is a non-invasive method to evaluate the stiffness and fibrosis of the liver. This study aimed to investigate the findings of FibroScan; the level of liver enzymes, triglycerides, and cholesterol; and demographic characteristics of patients with fatty liver. Materials and methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 patients referred to the Gastroenterology and Liver Specialist Clinic in Sari City over a year (2017-18). The patients who were diagnosed with fatty liver according to ultrasound results were included after ruling out Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, viral hepatitis, and autoimmune diseases. Demographic findings and laboratory profiles were recorded from the patients' files. The severity of liver steatosis and fibrosis was determined from FibroScan results. Data were analyzed in SPSS16 software. Mean and standard deviation were used to express the distribution of quantitative variables of the studied groups, and frequency and percentage were utilized to describe qualitative data. To compare quantitative data, an independent t-test was conducted, while qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-Square test. Results: The mean age of patients was obtained at 48.10±13.01 years (range: 18 to 83) and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.88±5.47. Gender and smoking were not related to the severity of liver steatosis and fibrosis. Steatosis grade of S3 and fibrosis stage of F1 were found in 58.33% and 62% of patients, respectively. BMI and triglyceride levels had a significant relationship with the severity of liver steatosis (P<0.01). Moreover, liver fibrosis development showed a significant relationship with increasing age, BMI, AST, ALT, ALP, and Chol (P<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of the studied patients were diagnosed with a steatosis grade of S3 and a fibrosis stage of F1. Triglyceride level had a significant relationship with the severity of hepatic steatosis. BMI was related to the severity of steatosis and liver fibrosis; therefore, weight loss and triglyceride control are recommended to reduce steatosis and liver fibrosis, and periodic liver FibroScan is suggested to monitor the changes in liver fibrosis.
