Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term often used to describe two related conditions: a relatively benign, nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and potentially aggressive, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (nash). B...
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term often used to describe two related conditions: a relatively benign, nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and potentially aggressive, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (nash). Both conditions (NAFL and nash) occur in the setting of peripheral insulin resistance. Recently, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been proposed as an independent risk factor for insulin resistance. To date, few studies have documented the prevalence of OSA or symptoms of OSA (SOSA) in NAFLD patients. The objectives of this study were (1) to document the prevalence of SOSA in patients with NAFLD and (2) to determine whether prevalence rates for SOSA differ in NAFL versus nash patients. One hundred ninety biochemically defined NAFLD patients (116 NAFL and 74 nash), of whom 50 (18 NAFL and 32 nash) had undergone liver biopsy, completed a Modified Berlin Sleep Apnea Questionnaire for SOSA. Risk factors for NAFLD were also documented in NAFL and nash patients. Eighty-seven of the 190 (46% ) NAFLD patients met questionnaire criteria for SOSA. The prevalence of SOSA was similar in both biochemically (45% versus 49% , respectively; P = 0.66) and histologically (39% versus 63% , respectively; P = 0.11) defined NAFL and nash patients. Other risk factors for NAFLD such as body mass index, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and prev-alence of diabetes were also similar in the two groups. Approximately one-half of NAFLD patients, whether NAFL or nash, have SOSA. Further studies are required to determine whether a causal link exists between NAFLD and OSA.
Objective. The majority of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have simple steatosis. A minority, however, present with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (nash), a condition that can lead to advanced f...
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Objective. The majority of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have simple steatosis. A minority, however, present with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (nash), a condition that can lead to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. The frequencies of nash.and fibrosis among patients with NAFLD and sustained elevation of liver function tests (LFT)are uncertain. Our aim was to estimate these frequencies. We characterize a population with NAFLD, with special emphasis on insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, and study possible predictors for different stages of the disease. Material and methods. All referred patients with sustained elevation of LFT, radiological evidence or clinical suspicion of fatty liver, and absence of other liver disease, were invited to participate in our study in the period june 2002 to December 2004. Results. Of 129 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 88 underwent liver biopsy. NAFLD was verified in 83 of them. Among these patients, 59 (71%) had the metabolic syndrome, 41 (49%) had nash.and 36 (43%) had fibrosis. Abnormal glucose tolerance (T2DM or impaired glucose tolerance) was the only independent risk factor for nash (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: 1.20-8.23). Independent predictors for fibrosis were abnormal glucose tolerance (OR: 3.83; 95%CI: 1.29-11.40) and body mass index (OR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.06-1.36) per kg/m2. Conclusions. Both nash.and fibrosis are frequently present among patients with NAFLD and sustained elevation of LFT. The probability of these potentially progressive stages of NAFLD increases with the presence of abnormal glucose tolerance.
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