Low incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a Danish liver unit

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses a spectrum of histological lesions ranging from steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Simple steatosis is generally benign, while NASH can progress to severe liver disease. The aim of the present study was to quantify the number of patients with NASH and assess the prognosis associated with the condition in a large Danish referral centre for liver disease.

Through the pathology archives at Hvidovre Hospital, 348 patients with steatohepatitis diagnosed during the 1976-1987-period were identified. Data were systematically collected by review of available medical records. These data were supplemented by data from the Danish National Hospital Registry and the Registry of Causes of Death.

A total of 100 patients referred from other hospitals were excluded as their records were missing and 236 patients were excluded, mainly due to a history of alcohol abuse; this left 14 patients to constitute the study population. At the end of the follow-up period which had a median duration of 16.7 years, ten of the patients had died: four of cardiovascular disease, four of extra-hepatic neoplasm and two of unknown causes. There were no liver-related deaths and only one patient developed cirrhosis.

In a specialised referral centre, only few patients were diagnosed with NASH 25-30 years ago and those who were identified had a low risk of progression to cirrhosis and premature death.

The local research council and the foundation for the study of liver diseases at Hvidovre Hospital provided funding for this study.

not relevant.