Assessment of Steatosis and Fibrosis in Liver Transplant Recipients Using Controlled Attenuation Parameter and Liver Stiffness Measurements

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Ivana Mikolašević
• Author: Goran Hauser
• Author: Maja Mijić
• Author: Viktor Domislović
• Author: Delfa Radić-Krišto
• Author: Željko Krznarić; MBZ: 75865
• Author: Melanija Ražov-Radas
• Author: Tajana Pavić
• Author: Marija Matašin
• Author: Tajana Filipec Kanižaj
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Internal Medicine)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Internal Medicine

Abstract (english)

Aim. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of increased controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurements (LSM) as surrogate markers of liver steatosis and fibrosis in liver transplant recipient (LTR). Secondary objectives were to determine the predictors of increased CAP and LSM in population of LTR. ----- Methods. In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we have evaluated 175 LTRs’ mean age as 61 (53–65) with a functioning graft for more than one year who came for regular outpatient examinations to the Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital (UH) Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia. ----- Results. Of 175 analyzed LTRs, 34.28% had obesity, 64.00% had hypertension, 38.28% had diabetes, and 58.85% had hyperlipidemia. The prevalence of liver steatosis was 68.57%, while the prevalence of severe liver steatosis was 46.85%. On multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with liver steatosis were male gender, total cholesterol as positive predictor, and HDL as negative predictor, and independent factors positively associated with severe liver steatosis were higher body mass index (BMI) and higher triglyceride levels. The prevalence of moderate liver fibrosis was 54.85%, while the prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis was 24%. On multivariate analysis, independent factors positively associated with moderate fibrosis were gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and CAP, while the independent factor positively associated with advanced fibrosis was GGT. ----- Conclusion. Our study showed high prevalence of increased CAP and LSM measurements as surrogate markers of liver steatosis and fibrosis. Metabolic syndrome components were highly present and were associated with CAP and LSM values as well as in the pretransplant setting. Due to high prevalence of metabolic comorbidities and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in LTRs and the lack of the abnormal liver test in a significant number of these patients, TE with CAP may be a reasonable initial assessment for LTRs with one or more components of the metabolic syndrome.

• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Numbering: vol. 2021, 6657047
• p-ISSN: 2291-2789
• e-ISSN: 2291-2797
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6657047
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:537035
• Publication: 2021-02-08
• Document URL: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cjgh/2021/6657047/
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-06-28 08:19:43