Abstract The clinical significance of liver disease is frequently underestimated in patients with metabolic disorders. In patients observed in a metabolic unit for diabetes, obesity or hyperlipidemia (n = 147), we studied the prevalence and the severity of liver disease, and its relationship with the metabolic syndrome. Cases cared in a liver unit (n = 179) were used as controls. Patients of the metabolic series were older and had a larger prevalence of coronary heart disease. Criteria for the metabolic syndrome were fulfilled in 64% and 22% of cases, respectively (P < 0.0001). Liver biopsy was obtained in 44% and 66% of cases. Metabolic patients had a more severe steatosis score (P < 0.0001), whereas the scores of fibrosis and necroinflammation were less severe (P = 0.0059 and P = 0.0007, respectively). Histological criteria for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis were present in 82% of metabolic cases and 68% cases in the liver series (P = 0.057). Liver disease in patients routinely cared in metabolic units is similar to that observed in patients cared in liver units, potentially progressive to terminal liver failure. Liver biopsy is recommended for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as for testing treatment effects in controlled trials.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients cared in metabolic units / G Marchesini Reggiani; E Bugianesi; G Forlani; R Marzocchi; C Zannoni; E Vanni; R Manini; M Rizzetto; N Melchionda. - In: DIABETES RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE. - ISSN 0168-8227. - STAMPA. - 63:(2004), pp. 143-151. [10.1016/j.diabres.2003.09.007]
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients cared in metabolic units
MARCHESINI REGGIANI, GIULIO;MARZOCCHI, REBECCA;ZANNONI, CHIARA;MELCHIONDA, NAZARIO
2004
Abstract
Abstract The clinical significance of liver disease is frequently underestimated in patients with metabolic disorders. In patients observed in a metabolic unit for diabetes, obesity or hyperlipidemia (n = 147), we studied the prevalence and the severity of liver disease, and its relationship with the metabolic syndrome. Cases cared in a liver unit (n = 179) were used as controls. Patients of the metabolic series were older and had a larger prevalence of coronary heart disease. Criteria for the metabolic syndrome were fulfilled in 64% and 22% of cases, respectively (P < 0.0001). Liver biopsy was obtained in 44% and 66% of cases. Metabolic patients had a more severe steatosis score (P < 0.0001), whereas the scores of fibrosis and necroinflammation were less severe (P = 0.0059 and P = 0.0007, respectively). Histological criteria for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis were present in 82% of metabolic cases and 68% cases in the liver series (P = 0.057). Liver disease in patients routinely cared in metabolic units is similar to that observed in patients cared in liver units, potentially progressive to terminal liver failure. Liver biopsy is recommended for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as for testing treatment effects in controlled trials.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
