The Effect of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Assessed by FIB-4 and NFS Scores—An 11.6-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Severe obesity is a strong risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery effectively induces weight loss, but few studies have described the long-term effects of RYGB on NAFLD-related fibrosis. Data from 220 patients with severe obesity operated by RYGB in Central Norway were analysed. Variables incorporated in NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS), Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and anthropometric data were collected before surgery and a mean of 11.6 years postoperatively. FIB-4 > 1.3 or NFS > 0.675 were used as cut-off values for advanced fibrosis. Proportions with advanced fibrosis decreased from 24% to 14% assessed by FIB-4 and from 8.6% to 2.3% using NFS, with resolution rates of advanced fibrosis of 42% and 73%, respectively. The shift towards lower fibrosis categories was significant (NFS p < 0.0001; FIB-4 p = 0.002). NFS decreased from −1.32 (IQR −2.33–−0.39) to −1.71 (IQR −2.49–−0.95, p < 0.001) 11.6 years after surgery, whereas FIB-4 did not change: 0.81 (IQR 0.59–1.25) to 0.89 (IQR 0.69–1.16, p = 0.556). There were weak correlations between change in fibrosis scores and weight loss. In conclusion, the majority of patients with advanced fibrosis at baseline had improvement after 11.6 years. Factors associated with reduction in fibrosis were not identified.