IS FECAL CALPROTECTIN DETERMINATION USEFUL FOR PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC ASSOCIATED FATTY LIVER DISEASE?

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing health concern.
• Non-invasive biomarkers are needed for assessing MAFLD severity.
• Fecal calprotectin (FC) is an inflammatory marker with potential relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between fecal calprotectin (FC) levels and ultrasound-assessed steatosis and fibrosis in MAFLD patients.
• To investigate FC as a potential indicator of liver disease severity in MAFLD.

Main Methods:

• Study included 110 MAFLD patients (mean age 51.3 years, 59.1% male).
• Assessed steatosis using ultrasound attenuation coefficient (AC) and fibrosis using 2D shear-wave elastography (SWE) liver stiffness (LS).
• Measured laboratory parameters, including FC levels, and performed statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Steatosis stages S2-S3 were diagnosed in 61.9% of patients.
• Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders were prevalent.
• FC levels were significantly higher in MAFLD patients with S2-S3 steatosis compared to S1 (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Fecal calprotectin levels are elevated in patients with MAFLD.
• FC elevation is associated with more severe liver steatosis.
• Further research is needed to define FC's clinical utility as a biomarker for MAFLD and metabolic syndrome complications.