Screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in community setting: A cohort study using controlled attenuation...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Public Health

Background:

• Rising global burden of chronic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
• Need to understand NAFLD prevalence and fibrosis in asymptomatic populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of NAFLD and significant liver stiffness in an asymptomatic Thai population.
• To identify predictors of significant fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of 1145 Thai adults aged 18-80 years.
• Utilized controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) for liver fat quantification and transient elastography (TE) for liver stiffness measurement (LSM).
• NAFLD defined as liver fat ≥10% (CAP ≥306 dB/m); significant fibrosis defined as ≥F2 stage.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of NAFLD was 18.0%, including nonobese (5.4%) and lean (2.8%) NAFLD.
• Significant liver fibrosis (≥F2) was present in 18.4% of NAFLD subjects.
• Male gender and history of dyslipidemia were significant predictors of fibrosis in NAFLD.

Conclusions:

• NAFLD with significant fibrosis is common in asymptomatic individuals.
• Male gender and dyslipidemia are key predictors for significant fibrosis in NAFLD.
• Consider screening for NAFLD using CAP/TE in asymptomatic populations where facilities are available.