HEPATIC FIBROSIS, MEASURED BY FIBROSCAN IN A GROUP OF PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

Abstract

Introduction. Hepatic steatosis is a reversible condition caused by accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to advanced liver disease: fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, cancer, and finally can lead to death; therefore NAFLD contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality of hepatic cause. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 88 patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m2, they were excluded patients with known diabetes. Results, Discussion: The statistical analysis showed that in more than half of subjects elastometry values were higher than those considered normal, obesity is a risk factor for NAFLD that progresses in hepatic fibrosis. Conclusions: Liver fibrosis is present in high percentage in patients with obesity (52% of subjects) and it was positively correlated with age, arterial stiffness and fasting glucose.