Fatty Liver Disease Along Cushing Syndrome Evolution

Abstract

Abstract Context The clinical manifestations of Cushing syndrome are variable, but an important number of patients present a metabolic syndrome, strongly associated with hepatic steatosis. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) at the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective study at Angers Hospital (France) between 2010 and 2020. Forty-nine patients followed for Cushing syndrome with available abdominal imaging at diagnosis were included. A mean liver/spleen density ratio < 1 on computed tomography was diagnostic of hepatic steatosis. Simple clinico-biological scores predictive of hepatic fibrosis (FIB-4, NAFLD Fibrosis Score, and eLIFT) were calculated for patients with hepatic steatosis. Results Of the 49 patients, 13 (26.5%) had hepatic steatosis at diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. All 13 had MASLD. These patients had a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and higher triglyceride levels in multivariate analysis. There was no difference according to the intensity or duration of Cushing syndrome. Among the 13 patients with MASLD, 2 (15.4%) had a significant fibrosis predictive score. Of the 4 patients with follow-up imaging after remission of Cushing syndrome, 3 had remission of steatosis between 1 and 5 years after remission of Cushing syndrome. No patient without MASLD at diagnosis had a worsening liver/spleen ratio after remission. Conclusion We estimated the prevalence of hepatic steatosis at the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome at 26.5%. The presence of metabolic factors was associated with the occurrence of hepatic steatosis.