Prevalence of hepatic steatosis as assessed by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in subjects with metabolic risk factors in primary care. A population-based study

Abstract

BackgroundPrimary care is the ideal setting for early identification of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a potentially progressive disease that may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer but is frequently underrecognized because subjects at risk are often not evaluated. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is a reliable method for non-invasive quantification of liver fat. It has the advantage of simultaneous measurement of liver stiffness (LS), an estimate of liver fibrosis. There is no information on CAP in subjects with risk factors from primary care.AimTo investigate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis, as estimated by CAP, in subjects from the community with metabolic risk factors and correlate findings with clinical and biochemical characteristics and LS.Patients and methodsPopulation-based study of 215 subjects with metabolic risk factors without known liver disease identified randomly from a primary care center. A control group of 80 subjects matched by age and sex without metabolic risk factors was also studied. CAP and LS were assessed using Fibroscan.ResultsSubjects with risk factors had CAP values higher than those of control group (268±64 vs 243±49dB/m,p<0.001). Prevalence of severe steatosis (CAP> 280dB/m) in subjects with risk factors was 43%. In multivariate analysis, fatty liver index (FLI) and HOMA were independent predictive factors of severe steatosis. There was a direct correlation between CAP and FLI values (r = 0.52,p<0.001). Interestingly, prevalence of increased LS was 12.6% in the risk group vs 0% in the control group (p<0.001). Increased LS occurred predominantly in subjects with high CAP values.ConclusionsA high proportion of subjects with metabolic risk factors seen in primary care have severe steatosis. FLI could be used as a surrogate of CAP. Increased LS was found in a significant proportion of subjects with risk factors but not in control subjects.

Assessment of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis by vibration-controlled transient elastography and controlled attenuation parameter versus non-invasive assessment scores in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…A control group of 80 subjects matched by age and sex without metabolic risk factors was also studied. CAP and LSM were assessed using TE and found that there was a good statistical correlation between liver transaminases and increased LSM, suggestive of liver fibrosis [25].…”

Toward precision prescribing for methadone: Determinants of methadone deposition

“…The uninfected cutoff values for fibrosis stage were: LSM<10 kPa, F0-F2; LSM �10 kPa, F3-F4 [33]. The cutoff values for steatosis grade were: CAP>248 dB/m, S1; CAP>268 dB/m, S2; CAP>280 dB/m, S3 [38,39]. VCTE provided a measure of liver stiffness (lower kPa values indicate a more elastic liver), a surrogate measure for fibrosis.…”

Comparative effectiveness of phosphodiesterase 3, 4, and 5 inhibitors in amelioration of high‐fat diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats

“…Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant public health problem that is concomitantly increasing along with the high prevalence of obesity and diabetes . NAFLD represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, and it ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis .…”