Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in a Sample of Iranian Adult Population: Age is a Risk Factor

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is a cause of cirrhosis. Detecting its preventable causes could be useful in decreasing the disease and its complications. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of NASH in adult population living in Isfahan city as a sample of Iranian population.

Blood samples of 2030 individuals referring to Dr. Shariati Hospital for routine health checkup were collected. All individuals with high liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or Alanine aminotransferease (ALT)] were included in the study. Known causes of altered liver enzymes were excluded. Second blood samples were obtained 6 months later and those cases with persistent enzyme elevation were surveyed with ultrasonography.

In the first survey, 234 individuals (11.5 %) had ALT levels of more than 40 U/L. By rechecking samples after 6 months, 50% of all high serum ALT individuals remained at high level. After conducting complementary biochemical tests, 3.3% of the population was considered to have NASH; 20% of NASH cases did not have any abnormal findings in ultrasonography. Hypercholesterolemia was the most coexisting risk factor in NASH cases. We found a reverse correlation between ALT level and age (P = 0.02).

The prevalence of NASH was comparable with other countries. According to the significantl correlation between ALT level and age, preventive interactions in younger individuals would decrease the incidence of NASH.