Effects of anthropometric and metabolic parameters on transaminase levels and liver stiffness in patients with non-alcohol fatty liver disease

Abstract

We aimed to investigate 214 patients further with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as judged by transient elastography. A body mass index of ≥25 was seen in 172 (80%) of the patients. F2–F4 fibrosis, as depicted by elastography, was present in 114 (53.2%). A Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) of ≥2 was seen in 178 (83.2%). Alanine aminotransferase was elevated in 116 (54%) and aspartate aminotransferase in 88 (41.1%). Liver steatosis was significantly associated with increasing alanine aminotransferase, insulin, HOMA-IR and cholesterol levels. Regression analysis showed cholesterol as a factor independently associated with the degree of liver steatosis. The independent variable related to increasing liver elasticity was steatosis. In conclusion, a significant number of our patients with NAFLD had steatohepatitis and F2–F4 fibrosis.