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The amount of liver fat predicts mortality and development of type 2 diabetes in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Author(s) -
Nasr Patrik,
Fredrikson Mats,
Ekstedt Mattias,
Kechagias Stergios
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.14414
Subject(s) - fatty liver , steatosis , medicine , gastroenterology , liver biopsy , grading (engineering) , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus , biopsy , disease , endocrinology , biology , ecology
Background & Aims Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to evaluate whether conventional histological grading of steatosis and accurate quantification of fat content in liver biopsies using stereological point counting (SPC) can predict mortality and future development of T2DM in NAFLD patients. Methods 129 patients with biopsy proven NAFLD, enrolled between 1988 and 1992, were re‐evaluated on two occasions, after 13.7 (±1.5) and 23.2 (±6.8) years. In patients accepting to undergo the procedure, repeat liver biopsies were performed on each follow‐up and were evaluated with conventional histopathological methodology and SPC. Results Of the 106 patients without T2DM at baseline, 66 (62%) developed T2DM during a mean follow‐up of 23.2 (± 6.8) years. Steatosis grade and liver fat measured with SPC independently (adjusted for age, BMI, fibrosis stage) predicted development of T2DM with an aHR of 1.60 per grade and 1.03 for each SPC percentage increase respectively. Overall mortality and development of T2DM was more common in patients with grade 3 steatosis compared to lower grades of steatosis. Liver fat measured with SPC was significant for overall mortality (aHR 1.04). In patients that underwent repeat biopsy, reduction in liver fat measured with SPC was associated with decreased risk of developing T2DM (aHR 0.91 for each SPC percentage decrease). Conclusion Steatosis grade and liver fat measured with SPC predict mortality and the risk of developing T2DM in NAFLD. Reduction in liver fat decreases the risk of developing T2DM.