Frequency of significant steatosis and compensated advanced chronic liver disease among adults with chronic liver disease

BackgroundWith changes in the epidemiology and treatment of chronic liver disease (CLD), the impact of various etiologies of liver disease on steatosis and advanced fibrosis are uncertain. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted among liver disease patients of various etiologies undergoing transient elastography (TE) over a 9-year duration. ResultsData for 2886 patients were analyzed and had the following demographics: The median age was 60 (IQR: 45-69) years, 51% were males, and ethnicity was predominantly Chinese (52.5%), followed by Malays (34%) and Indians (12.3%). The median CAP score was 272 (IQR: 219-319) dB/m and the median liver stiffness measurement (LSM) score was 6.5 (IQR: 4.9-9.7) kPa. Hepatic steatosis occurred across the spectrum of etiologies of CLD. Among patients with steatosis, the most common etiologies were nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) at 62% and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at 26.3%. TE findings suggestive of cACLD (10.1-15 kPa) and highly suggestive of cACLD (>15 kPa) were observed in 11.3% and 12.4% of patients, respectively. NAFLD was found to be the most common etiology for cases with suggestive of cACLD (47.2%) and highly suggestive of cACLD (41.5%). ConclusionHepatic steatosis is common in CLD, regardless of etiology. Compared with other etiologies, NAFLD is now the leading cause of cACLD.

Automated summary

This study found that hepatic steatosis is common in chronic liver disease, regardless of etiology. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are the most common causes of steatosis. NAFLD has also become the leading cause of advanced fibrosis.