Correlation of Hepatic steatosis, Fibrosis and Body anthropometry.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the correlation of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis with body anthropometry among Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients presenting in outpatients Gastroenterology clinics in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Gastroenterology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: October 2022 to March 2023. Methods: Body anthropometric measures and demographic data of patients were recorded when presenting to outpatient clinics with NAFLD. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was obtained by FibroScan using an M or XL probe considering CAP value ≥ 248 dB/m as hepatic steatosis. Liver fibrosis was defined as a liver stiffness (LS) value ≥8 kPa. Results: In a total of 300 patients, the mean age was 51.4±8.4 years. The median CAP was 251 (IQR=219-342). Steatosis was present among 233 (77.7%) patients. Fibrosis was present among 229 (76.3%) patients. Steatosis was found to have significant correlation with age, waist circumference, neck circumference, hip circumference, triglycerides, creatinine, low density lipoprotein, alinine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, srum cholesterol and, high density lipoprotein. Fibrosis was significantly correlated with age, waist circumference, neck circumference, hip circumference, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, total bilirubin, alanine tansaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein. Conclusion: Considerable interplay of metabolic factors, and anthropometric measures exist with NAFLD. It is important to monitor visceral fat measurements among NAFLD patients with anthropometric and biochemical abnormalities.