Prospective evaluation of the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis in a large middle-aged US cohort

Abstract

Background & aims Large prospective studies to establish the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH), are lacking. We prospectively assessed the prevalence and severity of NAFLD/NASH in a cohort of asymptomatic middle-aged Americans attending a colonoscopy class at a gastroenterology clinic.Methods Screening for NAFLD was performed using magnetic resonance (MR)-based LiverMultiScan® proton density fat fraction (LMS-PDFF). MR exams also included corrected T1 and elastography for liver stiffness measurement (LSM). FibroScan® was also used to measure LSM. Participants with predetermined abnormal imaging parameters were offered a liver biopsy. Biopsies were read in a blinded fashion with results based on the consensus by 2 expert pathologists. The prevalence of NAFLD was determined by PDFF ≥5% or by histological diagnosis of NAFLD (if biopsy data were available). The prevalence of NASH was defined by biopsy.Results Of 835 participants, 664 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age was 56 ± 6.4 years, 50% were male, the mean BMI was 30.48 ± 5.46 kg/m 2, and 52% were obese. The prevalence of NAFLD was 38% (95% CI 34-41%) and the prevalence of NASH was 14% (95% CI 12-17%). While no patient had cirrhosis on biopsy, significant fibrosis (F ≥2) was present in 5.9% (95% CI 4-8%) and bridging fibrosis in 1.6% (95% CI 1-3%). In a multivariable analysis, factors associated with the presence of NASH were race, obesity, and diabetes.Conclusion Using state-of-the-art liver imaging modalities and reference biopsy, this study establishes an overall prevalence of NAFLD of 38% and NASH by biopsy of 14% in this cohort of asymptomatic middle-aged US adults.Lay summary There are no prospective studies to determine how common is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a large number of asymptomatic middle-aged Americans, we used a combination of state-of-the-art liver imaging methods and liver biopsy to prospectively determine the prevalence of NAFLD and NASH. NAFLD was diagnosed in 38%, NASH in 14%, and significant liver fibrosis in 6% of asymptomatic middle-aged Americans.