Prevalence and predictors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in South Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary disease(PCOS)may be a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)due to common pathogenetic pathways,including insulin resistance and obesity.Both PCOS and NAFLD are more severe in South Asian women.Data on NAFLD in South Asian women with PCOS are lacking.AIM To investigate prevalence and predictors of NAFLD and liver fibrosis in PCOS patients from South Asia.METHODS We conducted an observational routine screening program by means of transient elastography(TE)with associated controlled attenuation parameter(CAP).NAFLD was defined as CAP≥288 decibels per meter.Significant liver fibrosis(stage 2 and higher out of 4)was defined as TE measurement≥8.0 kilopascals.Elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)was defined as ALT>24 IU/L,as per upper limit of normal reported in South Asian women.Biochemical hyperandrogenism was defined as free androgen index>5.Predictors of NAFLD were determined by logistic regression analysis.RESULTS 101 PCOS patients(mean age 36.3 years)with no significant alcohol intake or viral hepatitis were included.Prevalence of NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis was 39.6% and 6.9%,respectively.Elevated ALT was observed in 40%and 11.5%of patients with and without NAFLD,respectively.After adjusting for duration of PCOS and insulin resistance measured by homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance,independent predictors of NAFLD were higher body mass index[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)1.30,95% confidence interval(CI):1.13-1.52],hyperandrogenism(aOR:5.32,95%CI:1.56-18.17)and elevated ALT(aOR:3.54,95%CI:1.10-11.47).Lifetime cardiovascular risk was higher in patients with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD(0.31±0.11 vs 0.26±0.13).CONCLUSION Despite their young age,NAFLD diagnosed by TE with CAP is a frequent comorbidity in South Asian women with PCOS and is strongly associated with higher body mass index and hyperandrogenism.Non-invasive screening strategies could help early diagnosis and initiation of interventions,including counselling on weight loss,cardiovascular risk stratification and linkage to hepatology care where appropriate.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in liver transplant recipients diagnosed by serum cytokeratin 18 and transient elastography:A prospective study

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)seem common after liver transplantation.AIM To investigate incidence and predictors of NAFLD and NASH by employing noninvasive testing in liver transplant recipients,namely controlled attenuation parameter(CAP)and the serum biomarker cytokeratin 18(CK-18).We also evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CK-18 and CAP compared to liver histology.METHODS We prospectively recruited consecutive adult patients who received liver transplant at the McGill University Health Centre between 2015-2018.Serial measurements of CK-18 and CAP were recorded.NAFLD and NASH were diagnosed by CAP≥270 dB/m,and a combination of CAP≥270 dB/m with CK-18>130.5 U/L,respectively.Incidences and predictors of NAFLD and NASH were investigated using survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards.RESULTS Overall,40 liver transplant recipients(mean age 57 years;70%males)were included.During a median follow-up of 16.8 mo(interquartile range 15.6-18.0),63.0%and 48.5%of patients developed NAFLD and NASH,respectively.On multivariable analysis,after adjusting for sex and alanine aminotransferase,body mass index was an independent predictor of development of NAFLD[adjusted hazard ratio(aHR):1.21,95%confidence interval(CI):1.04-1.41;P=0.01]and NASH(aHR:1.26,95%CI:1.06-1.49;P<0.01).Compared to liver histology,CAP had a 76%accuracy to diagnose NAFLD,while the accuracy of CAP plus CK-18 to diagnose NASH was 82%.CONCLUSION NAFLD and NASH diagnosed non-invasively are frequent in liver transplant recipients within the first 18 mo.Close follow-up and nutritional counselling should be planned in overweight patients.