Comparative study of Noninvasive markers and transient elastography in patient with nonalcoholic fatty liver in western region of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) is most common cause of cirrhosis. Risk factor for NAFLD are obesity, diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidemia. Main aim of the study is to find out the risk factor of NAFLD, determine the metabolic syndrome in NAFLD and compare the different noninvasive score with FibroTouch score.

Methods: This is prospective cross sectionalhospital based observationalstudy carried out in Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PoAHS) in period of (22nd June 2022 to 14th May 2024) two years. Any patients who visited outpatient department (OPD) with USG abdomen with fatty liver were included. Baseline characteristics were recorded, Complete blood count, Random blood sugar, Liver function tests, Fasting lipid profile, renal function tests, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Anti HCV antibody were send. Liver stiffness and hepatic steatosis was determine by FibroTouch. Noninvasive tests (score) were calculated and comparative study was performed.

Results: Mean age was 48.10±11.62 years, with male preponderance (52.2%), mean BMI was 32.44±4.82 kg/m2. Risk factor for NAFLD were obesity 47.92%, alcohol and obesity 23.50% and dyslipidemia and obesity 22.11%, USG abdomen showed majority of patients (62.7%) have grade II fatty liver with mean ultrasound attenuation parameter 276±49.16 db/m and mean liver stiffness 8.29±3.71kpa. Spearman correlation of FibroTouch score with noninvasive tests were statistically significant.

Conclusion: Fatty liver was more prevalent in middle aged male patients. Risk factor are being obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome. Similarly noninvasive tests like FIB4, NAFLD score, APRI score and BARD score are comparable with FibroTouch score.