High prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among healthy male blood donors of urban India

Effect of exercise and pharmacotherapy on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objectives

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the emerging liver diseases affecting 20%-30% of the population creating a burden on public health worldwide and has been associated with the causation of multiple diseases. Besides exercise, several drugs are being used in patients based on clinical evidence especially vitamin E, a potent antioxidant to reduce the oxidative stress responsible for the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aims at evaluating the effect of exercise and pharmacotherapy on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Design

A prospective follow-up study with purposive sampling was done at a liver clinic for 3 months. Baseline characteristics such as anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were recorded and compared after 3 months to determine the effect of therapy. Descriptive analysis using a parametric test was used to assess the change in biochemical parameters and a non-parametric test was applied to find out the association between non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches.

Results

Out of 177 patients, 67.2 % were male and 32.8% were female with the mean age ±SD of 46.8 ± 12.06 years. Mean ± SD weight and body mass index of the patients were changed from 74.88 ± 11.61 kg to 72.37 ± 11.61 kg and from 28.41 ± 4.02 kg/m2 to 27.31 ± 4.58 kg/m2 respectively which was found to be statistically significant. There was a significant change in all the biochemical parameters with the p-value < 0.05 through both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches.

Conclusion

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease management through exercise and pharmacotherapy shows significant improvement in biochemical parameters indicating that alone or in combination with both approaches play an effective role in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Impact of the Association Between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes

Backgroundː Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a hepatic condition that causes severe itching in late pregnancy, is linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to disrupted bile acid balance. It poses maternal risks such as preterm labor and gestational diabetes and fetal risks such as preterm birth and respiratory distress. The study examined NAFLD's impact on ICP in pregnant women, highlighting management and research implications. Methodsː This retrospective study examined pregnant women (≥18 years) with ICP, assessing fatty liver with follow-up ultrasounds. Participants were divided into ICP only and ICP with fatty liver (FL) groups, excluding heavy alcohol users and incomplete data. Maternal age, medical history, and comorbidities were evaluated alongside abdominal ultrasounds to identify FL. Resultsː In this study of 43 pregnant women, the mean maternal age was 27 years. Patients with ICP and FL had significantly higher bile acid levels than those with ICP alone. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), dyslipidemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), parity, and hypothyroidism. Among women with ICP and FL, 51.85% underwent lower segment cesarean section (LSCS), while 43.75% with ICP without FL underwent LSCS. Conclusionsː ICP with FL did not show significant adverse effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes, including mode of delivery, gestational age, maternal complications, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and low birth weight (LBW) with asphyxia. However, additional research is required to fully comprehend the relationship between ICP, NAFLD, and their impact on pregnancy outcomes.

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Asians: Current Perspectives and Future Directions

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a subset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which, apart from excess fat in the liver, may be characterised by some level of inflammatory infiltration and fibrogenesis, occasionally progressing to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the current review is to elucidate the rising prevalence, the role of microbiome and genetics in pathogenesis, diagnostic challenges, and novel treatment alternatives for NASH. Newer diagnostic techniques are being developed since using liver biopsy in a larger population is not a reasonable option and is primarily restricted to clinical research, at least in developing countries. Besides these technical challenges, another important factor leading to deviation from guideline practice is the lack of health insurance coverage in countries like India. It leads to reluctance on the part of physicians and patients to delay required tests to curb out-of-pocket expenditure. There is no cure for NASH, with liver transplantation remaining the last option for those who progress to end-stage liver disease (ESLD) or are detected with early-stage HCC. Thus, lifestyle modification remains the only viable option for many, but compliance and long-term adherence remain major challenges. In obese individuals, bariatric surgery and weight reduction have shown favourable results. In patients with less severe obesity, endoscopic bariatric metabolic therapies (EBMT) are rapidly emerging as less invasive therapies. However, access and acceptability remain poor for these weight reduction methods. Therefore, intense research is being conducted for potential newer drug classes with several agents currently in phase II or III of clinical development. Some of these have demonstrated promising results, such as a reduction in hepatic fat content, and attenuation of fibrosis with an acceptable tolerability profile in phase II studies. The developments in the management of NASH have been fairly encouraging. Further well-designed long-term prospective studies should be undertaken to generate evidence with definitive results.

The burgeoning cardiovascular disease epidemic in Indians - perspectives on contextual factors and potential solutions

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death and disability in India. The CVD epidemic in Indians is characterized by a higher relative risk burden, an earlier age of onset, higher case fatality and higher premature deaths. For decades, researchers have been trying to understand the reason for this increased burden and propensity of CVD among Indians. It can partly be explained by population-level changes and the remaining by increased inherent biological risk. While increased biological risk can be attributed to phenotypic changes caused by early life influences, six major transitions can be considered largely responsible for the population-level changes in India-epidemiological, demographic, nutritional, environmental, social-cultural and economic. Although conventional risk factors explain substantial population attributable risk, the thresholds at which these risk factors operate are different among Indians compared with other populations. Therefore, alternate explanations for these ecological differences have been sought and multiple hypotheses have been proposed over the years. Prenatal factors that include maternal and paternal influences on the offspring, and postnatal factors, ranging from birth through childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, as well as inter-generational influences have been explored using the life course approach to chronic disease. In addition to this, recent research has illustrated the importance of the role of inherent biological differences in lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, inflammatory states, genetic predispositions and epigenetic influences for the increased risk. A multifaceted and holistic approach to CVD prevention that takes into consideration population-level as well as biological risk factors would be needed to control the burgeoning CVD epidemic among Indians.

Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) Guidance Paper on Nomenclature, Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease globally and in India. The already high burden of NAFLD in India is expected to further increase in the future in parallel with the ongoing epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given the high prevalence of NAFLD in the community, it is crucial to identify those at risk of progressive liver disease to streamline referral and guide proper management. Existing guidelines on NAFLD by various international societies fail to capture the entire landscape of NAFLD in India and are often difficult to incorporate in clinical practice due to fundamental differences in sociocultural aspects and health infrastructure available in India. A lot of progress has been made in the field of NAFLD in the 7 years since the initial position paper by the Indian National Association for the Study of Liver on NAFLD in 2015. Further, the ongoing debate on the nomenclature of NAFLD is creating undue confusion among clinical practitioners. The ensuing comprehensive review provides consensus-based, guidance statements on the nomenclature, diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD that are practically implementable in the Indian setting.

Indian patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection have high prevalence but mild severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has substantially decreased AIDS-related mortality. Non-AIDS related diseases like chronic liver disease are becoming more frequent in people living with HIV-AIDS (PLHA). Non-alcoholic fatty live disease (NAFLD) is a common etiology of liver disease in the general population. Our aim was to analyse the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in Indian PLHA.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive adults (age:36.89 ± 10.4 years, males:65%) with HIV infection were prospectively enrolled. Patients with significant alcohol intake, Hepatitis B or Cco-infection, other liver disease, malignancy or HIV stage IV were excluded. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using hepatobiliary ultrasoundand controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Fibrosis was assessed non-invasively using FIB-4, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Metabolic and HIV-related risk factors were compared between PLHA with and without NAFLD.

RESULTS

Prevalence of NAFLD using CAP was 60%. Among patients with NAFLD, 27 (45%) were lean. Majority had mild-moderate steatosis. Advanced fibrosis was present in 1 (1.67%) and 4 (6.67%) patients using NFS and LSM and none using FIB-4. PLHA with NAFLD were more likely to be overweight or obese (OR = 4.21,p = 0.002) with a higher proportion of abdominal obesity (OR:25.26,p = 0.001). Other metabolic comorbidities, duration of HIV infection, duration and type of ART, CD4-count or HIV-stagewere not significantly different among PLHA with or without NAFLD.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of NAFLD among Indian PLHA is high although most have mild disease. Almost half of these patients are lean. HIV-related factors do not impact the risk of NAFLD.

Lysosomal Acid Lipase Activity in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as a Novel Diagnostic and Therapeutic Target: A Systematic Literature Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions

Background and aim

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents with the accumulation of excessive intra-hepatic fat without significant alcohol intake. Multifactorial pathogenesis is reported to be involved. Reduced lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) activity is suggested as one of the novel-involved pathogenic mechanisms. This review summarizes the available evidence on the role of LAL activity in NAFLD pathogenesis.

Methods

Four databases namely, PubMed/Medline, Science direct, Cochrane Library, and Google scholar were searched to identify relevant observational records evaluating the role of LAL activity in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. All studies were assessed for their quality by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools for cohort and cross-sectional studies, respectively. The estimates of LAL activity and other clinical outcomes were expressed as mean (SD) and number (%) as presented in the primary studies.

Results

A total of nine good quality studies with 1711 patients with NAFLD and 877 controls from different groups (healthy volunteers, alcoholics, cryptogenic cirrhosis, and HCV-positive) were included. From the NAFLD group, 59.55% were males and the overall mean age ranged between the studies from 12.6 ± 8.5 months in pediatrics to 58.90 ± 13.82 years in adults. In the NAFLD group, the LAL activity varied from 0.53 ± 0.08 to 1.3 ± 0.70 (nmol/spot/hr) between the studies which was less than all control groups except cryptogenic cirrhosis patients (0.5 ± 0.15 nmol/spot/hr). Of the other outcomes of interest, ALT, AST, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol were found elevated in NAFLD patients than in controls.

Conclusion

The current evidence suggests a potential correlation of reduced LAL activity with NAFLD pathogenesis according to its severity. Large-scale studies are recommended, more importantly in patients with NAFLD having no metabolic or genetic involvement. Further LAL can act as a new non-invasive diagnostic biomarker to identify that specific NAFLD subgroup.

Effect of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) on COVID-19: A Single-Center Study of 3983 Patients With Review of Literature

Background

The presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with increased disease severity in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with or without MS may be related to increased morbidity and mortality in COVID-19, but large Indian studies are lacking. The present study was carried out to assess the impact of NAFLD on the clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Methods

All patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at a tertiary care hospital in eastern India from April 4 to December 31, 2020, were included in the study. Patients who underwent non-contrast CT (NCCT) chest were evaluated for the presence of hepatic steatosis based on a validated criterion liver attenuation (HU) value lower than the spleen, absolute liver attenuation lower than 40 HU, and liver to spleen attenuation ratio less than 1. Patients were divided into two groups, those with or without fatty liver. Baseline characteristics including age, sex, liver function tests, and outcomes including duration of hospital stay and mortality were compared.

Results

A total of 6003 COVID-19-positive patients were admitted during the study period. Of these patients, 214 children (<18 years) with COVID-19 infection were excluded. One hundred and eight patients with a history of significant ethanol abuse were excluded from the analysis. NCCT scan was not done in 1698 patients. Finally, 3983 patients were included in the study. They were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of NAFLD. Of the 3983 patients, 814 (20.4%) had NAFLD. Overall in-hospital mortality among the study group was 6.4%. The mortality rate among patients with NAFLD was 6.7% while that in patients without fatty liver was 6% (P=0.381). Similarly, the mean duration of hospital stay was also comparable between both the groups (10.63±7.2days vs 10.65±6.6 days;P=0.66). Prevalence of NAFLD was similar in survivors and non-survivors; 759 of 2981 patients (25.4%) and 55 of 188 patients 29.2% (P=0.381), respectively. On univariate analysis, male sex, older age, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) along with low serum albumin and low absolute eosinophil counts (AEC) were associated with higher mortality. However, on multivariate analysis, only older age, male sex, and low albumin levels were associated with higher mortality. Surprisingly, a sub-group analysis showed that females without NAFLD were at a higher risk of mortality than those with fatty liver (4.9% vs 12.3%; P=0.006). Similarly, patients with lower AST levels had higher mortality compared to patients with significantly elevated AST levels (more than two times the upper limit of normal (ULN)), irrespective of the presence of fatty liver.

Conclusions

The prevalence of fatty liver in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infected patients is similar to the general population in India, the presence of which is not a predictor of severe disease. However, mortality is higher in males and elderly patients.

Clinicopathological Profile and Outcome of a Large Cohort of Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease from South Asia: Interim Results of the Indian Consortium on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Previous data from South Asia and India had shown that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have mild liver disease severity. There are no data regarding long-term clinical outcomes in patients with NAFLD from South Asia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinicopathological profile, severity of NAFLD, and clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients with NAFLD from South Asia. Methods: In an ongoing real-life study [Indian Consortium on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (ICON-D)], interim data captured across 23 centers in India over 18 months was analyzed for clinicopathological profile, severity of NAFLD, and hepatic/extrahepatic events on follow-up. Results: Of 4313 patients (mean age 45 ± 12.2 years, males 52%), data on metabolic risk factors in 3553 (82.3%) patients revealed that 378 (10.6%) were lean, 575 (16.2%) overweight, 2584 (72.7%) obese; metabolic syndrome in 1518 (42.7%) and at least one metabolic risk factor in 3292 (92.6%) patients. Evidence of significant or advanced fibrosis assessed with [aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), n = 3196 (74%)], [fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), n = 3554 (82.4%)], [NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), n = 1924 (44.6%)], [Fibroscan, n = 2475, (57.3%)], and histology [n = 267 (6.2%)] was present in 682 (21.3%), 676 (19%), 397 (20.6%), 715 (29%), and 41 (15.4%) patients, respectively; 246 (10%) patients on Fibroscan and 22 (8.2%) on histology had evidence of cirrhosis. On a mean follow-up 43.5 months, hepatic and extrahepatic events recorded in 1353 (31.3%) patients showed that patients with compensated cirrhosis [71 (5.2%)] had more hepatic [26 (36.7%)] and extrahepatic events [8 (11.3%)] in comparison with those without cirrhosis (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Around one fifth of patients with NAFLD in South Asia have significant liver disease. Both hepatic and extrahepatic events on follow-up are observed more commonly in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related compensated cirrhosis.

Prevalence and Predictors of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Family Members of Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and aims

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Despite the high prevalence, no screening recommendations yet exist. We designed a prospective observational study to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD in the family of patients with NAFLD and develop a predictive model for identifying it.

Methodology

The prevalence of NAFLD in patients' family members was estimated using ultrasonography, and univariate and multivariate odds were calculated for its predictors. A model was created using the significant parameters on multivariate odds, and its performance was tested using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC).

Results

Among 447 family members of 191 patients with NAFLD, the prevalence of NAFLD was 55.9%. Family members with NAFLD were younger and had lower serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides. The liver stiffness measurement and controlled attenuation parameter values were also lesser in family members compared to the index cases. Age, body mass index (BMI), and ALT were independent predictors of NAFLD in the family members. A model combining age and BMI had an AUROC of 0.838 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.800-0.876, P < 0.001]. Age ≥30 years and BMI ≥25 kg/m² had an odds ratio of 33.5 (95% CI 17.0-66.0, P < 0.001) for prediction of NAFLD, in comparison to BMI <25 kg/m² and age <30 years.

Conclusion

Family members of patients with NAFLD are at increased risk of NAFLD. Screening strategies using BMI and age ensure early identification and could be beneficial in clinical practice.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Liver Disorder Patients in Northern India

Objective:

The present study aims to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among liver disorder patients being treated in tertiary care hospital in north India and exploration of factors affecting HRQoL.

Methodology:

The HRQoL was assessed among 230 patients visiting either the outpatient department (OPD) or those admitted in high dependency unit (HDU) or liver intensive care unit (ICU) using direct measuring tools such as Euro QoL five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and EQ visual analog scale. Multivariate regression was used to explore the factors influencing HRQoL.

Results:

Mean EQ-5D scores among chronic hepatitis and compensated cirrhosis patients were 0.639 ± 0.062 and 0.562 ± 0.048, respectively. Among those who were admitted in the ICU or HDU, mean EQ-5D score was 0.295 ± 0.031. At discharge, this score improved significantly to 0.445 ± 0.055 (P < 0.001). The multivariate results implied that HRQoL was significantly better among patients with lower literacy level (P = 0.018) and those treated in OPD settings (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

HRQoL is impaired among patients suffering from liver disorders specifically those admitted in ICU. Further, there is a need to generate more evidence to explore the impact of determinants and treatment-associated costs on the HRQoL.

FibroScan-AST (FAST) Score for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis - Validation in an Indian Cohort

Background

The FibroScan-AST (FAST) score was recently described to detect patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) having elevated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS ≥ 4) and significant fibrosis (≥ F2) on liver biopsy (NASH+ NAS ≥ 4 + F ≥ 2).

Aim

The aim of this study was to validate the FAST score in Indian patients with NAFLD and to derive optimal cut-offs.

Methods

Sixty patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD [men: 38 (63.3%), age 40 (32-52) years] with all parameters for assessing the FAST score within 3 months of liver histology were retrospectively analysed.

Results

Histological NASH was present in 17 patients (28.3%), while 11 (18.3%) patients had NASH + NAS ≥ 4 + F ≥ 2. The area under the curve (AUROC) of the FAST score for discriminating NASH + NAS ≥ 4 + F ≥ 2 was 0.81. Using cut-offs by Newsome et al, the rule-out cut-off (FAST: ≤ 0.35) had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.88 [sensitivity: 0.91, specificity: 0.14, negative likelihood ratio (LR): 0.64], while the rule-in cut-off (FAST: ≥ 0.67) had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.33 (sensitivity: 0.73, specificity: 0.67, positive LR: 2.22). Fifteen (25%) patients were correctly classified as per histology, while 28 (46.67%) patients fell in the grey zone. On recalculating the optimal cut-offs for our patients, the rule-out cut-off (FAST: ≤ 0.55) had an NPV of 0.95 (sensitivity: 0.90, specificity: 0.45, negative LR: 0.21), while the optimal rule-in cut-off (FAST: ≥ 0.78) had a PPV of 0.70 (sensitivity: 0.64, specificity 0.94, positive LR: 10.39). With these cut-offs, 27 (45%) patients fell in the grey zone and 29 (48.3%) were correctly classified as per histology, performing better than the cut-offs by Newsome et al (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The FAST score demonstrates good AUROC for detecting NASH with significant fibrosis and inflammation on histology. Cut-offs should be recalibrated based on prevalence of disease.

Lay summary

India has a high burden of NAFLD with an estimated 25 million patients at potential risk for significant liver disease. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing NASH, although its application in routine clinical practice is limited. Noninvasive tests for the simultaneous detection of steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis are thus the need of the hour. The FAST score has been recently suggested for the noninvasive detection of NASH with significant fibrosis (≥ F2) and inflammation (NAS ≥ 4) on liver biopsy. We validated the utility of the FAST score for detecting NASH with significant fibrosis and inflammation on liver biopsy in Indian patients with NAFLD. This noninvasive, easy-to-use and nonproprietary FAST score can correctly classify disease severity in more than 50% patients. However, our results suggest that cut-offs should be recalibrated based on the anticipated prevalence of NASH + NAS ≥ 4 + F ≥ 2 in the given population.

Prevalence of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) contributes to a large proportion of liver disease burden in the world. Several groups have studied the prevalence of NAFLD in the Indian population.

AIM

A systematic review of the published literature and meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD in the Indian population.

METHODS

English language literature published until April 2021 was searched from electronic databases. Original data published in any form which had reported NAFLD prevalence in the Indian population were included. The subgroup analysis of prevalence was done based on the age (adults or children) and risk category, i.e., average-risk group (community population, participants of control arm, unselected participants, hypothyroidic individuals, athletes, aviation crew, and army personnel) and high-risk group (obesity or overweight, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, etc.). The prevalence estimates were pooled using the random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with I².

RESULTS

Sixty-two datasets (children 8 and adults 54) from 50 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of NAFLD was estimated from 2903 children and 23,581 adult participants. Among adults, the estimated pooled prevalence was 38.6% (95% CI 32-45.5). The NAFLD prevalence in average-risk and high-risk subgroups was estimated to be 28.1% (95% CI 20.8-36) and 52.8% (95% CI 46.5-59.1), respectively. The estimated NAFLD prevalence was higher in hospital-based data (40.8% [95% CI 32.6-49.3%]) than community-based data (28.2% [95% CI 16.9-41%]). Among children, the estimated pooled prevalence was 35.4% (95% CI 18.2-54.7). The prevalence among non-obese and obese children was 12.4 (95% CI 4.4-23.5) and 63.4 (95% CI 59.4-67.3), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Available data suggest that approximately one in three adults or children have NAFLD in India.

Experience With Changing Etiology and Nontransplant Curative Treatment Modalities for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Real-Life Setting-A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has variable etiological risk factors. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection (SR) are frequently used as curative treatment options. In the present study, we assessed the etiological factors and efficacy of RFA and SR in patients with unifocal HCC in a real-life setting.

METHODS

Of 870 patients with HCC seen over a period of nine years, 785 patients were assessed for stage and etiological risk factors. Of these, 110 (14%) patients with single HCC who were either treated with RFA (n = 72) or SR (n = 38) were evaluated for their outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) over 3 years.

RESULTS

Of 785 patients [median age 60 (range 51-65) years, males (n = 685, 87.3%)] with HCC, viral hepatitis [HBV and HCV with or without alcohol = 502 (63.9%)] was the most common etiology; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcohol as an etiology showed increase over the years. About 677 (86.2%) patients had evidence of cirrhosis; NASH and HBV were predominant causes in noncirrhotic patients. Even though the groups were not matched, in 110 patients subjected to either RFA [mean tumor size, 2.2 (1.9-2.8) cm] or SR [mean tumor size, 7.1 (4.8-9.7) cm], tumor progression was observed in 49 (68%) and 16 (42%) patients in RFA and SR groups, respectively, with superior DFS in the SR group (P < 0.01). Of total 31 deaths, 20 (27.8%) deaths were in the RFA group and 11 (28.9%) in the SR group with no difference in OS at 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Viral hepatitis with or without alcohol is the commonest etiological factor for HCC in Northern India; NASH and alcohol are increasing over the years. In a real-life setting, in patients with unifocal HCC, there is no difference in overall 3-year survival subjected to SR or RFA with better DFS in the SR group.

Need for hepatitis A prevention in patients with chronic liver disease in the changing epidemiological setting of India

The burden of chronic liver disease (CLD) in India is high, particularly among middle-aged men, with nearly 220,000 deaths due to cirrhosis in 2017. CLD increases the risk of infection, severe disease (e.g. hepatitis A virus or HAV superinfection, acute-on-chronic liver failure, fulminant hepatic failure), and mortality. Hence, various countries recommend HAV vaccination for CLD patients. While historic Indian studies showed high seroprevalences of protective HAV antibodies among Indian adults with CLD, the most recent ones found that nearly 7% of CLD patients were susceptible to HAV infection. Studies in healthy individuals have shown that HAV infection in childhood is decreasing in India, resulting in an increasing population of adults susceptible to HAV infection. As patients with CLD are at increased risk of severe HAV infection, now may be the time to recommend HAV vaccination among people with CLD in India.

Natural History of Simple Steatosis or Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

The histological spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis or nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), NASH-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes with or without fibrosis is the key feature that differentiates NASH from NAFL. Liver biopsy is the only reliable method for diagnosing NAFL and differentiating it from NASH. Although the epidemiology of NAFLD is well described, the need for invasive biopsy limits our knowledge of the community prevalence of NAFL. Recent data suggest that the biochemical composition of hepatic steatosis may have a bearing on the disease. Triglycerides, the most commonly accumulated lipid, have a cytoprotective role because of their inert nature. Several paired liver biopsy studies and longitudinal follow-up studies have shown that NAFL is not completely benign as previously envisaged. NAFL can indeed progress to NASH and severe fibrosis, with progression being influenced by presence of baseline or worsening metabolic risk factors. Overall, NAFL carries a low risk of liver-related and overall mortality although the risk of cardiovascular mortality is similar to that of NASH. Current concepts suggest the presence of a dynamic bidirectional cycling between NAFL and NASH with slow progression of fibrosis in majority of the patients. The fact that ultimately it is the onset of progressive fibrosis that dictates clinical outcomes brings into question the relevance of distinguishing NAFL from NASH.

High potency multistrain probiotic improves liver histology in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a randomised, double-blind, proof of concept study

Objective

Pharmacological treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still evolving. Probiotics could be a promising treatment option, but their effectiveness needs to be established. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a high potency multistrain probiotic in adult patients with NAFLD.

Methods

Thirty-nine liver biopsy-proven patients with NAFLD were randomised in a double-blind fashion to either lifestyle modifications plus an oral multistrain probiotic (675 billion bacteria daily, n=19) or identical placebo (n=20) for 1 year. Lifestyle modifications included regular exercise for all and control of overweight/obesity (with additional dietary restrictions), hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in those with these risk factors. Primary objective of the study was the histological improvement in NAFLD activity score (NAS) and its components and secondary objectives were improvement in alanine transaminase (ALT) and cytokine profile.

Results

Thirty (76.9%) out of 39 patients with NAFLD completed the study with 1 year of follow-up. A repeat liver biopsy at 1 year could be done in 10 patients (52.6%) in probiotic group and five patients (25%) in placebo group. In comparison to baseline, hepatocyte ballooning (p=0.036), lobular inflammation (p=0.003) and NAS score (p=0.007) improved significantly at 1 year in the probiotic group. When compared with placebo, the NAS score improved significantly in the probiotic group (p=0.004), along with improvements in hepatocyte ballooning (p=0.05) and hepatic fibrosis (p=0.018). A significant improvement in levels of ALT (p=0.046), leptin (p=0.006), tumour necrosis factor-α (p=0.016) and endotoxins (p=0.017) was observed in probiotic group in comparison to placebo at 1 year. No significant adverse events were reported in the study.

Conclusion

Patients with NAFLD managed with lifestyle modifications and multistrain probiotic showed significant improvement in liver histology, ALT and cytokines.

Trial registration number

The clinical trial is registered with CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRYINDIA (CTRI); http://ctri.nic.in, No. CTRI/2008/091/000074

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors and Their Agonists in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. In addition to the liver-related morbidity and mortality, NAFLD is now also associated with various extrahepatic diseases. Pathogenesis of NAFLD is multifactorial with limited pharmacotherapy options for the treatment of patients with NAFLD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that are involved in the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, energy balance, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. PPAR agonists are attractive options for treatment of NAFLD as they can act at multiple targets involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. We reviewed the available literature on the pathophysiological role of PPARs and use of PPAR agonists in the treatment of NAFLD. Original studies and review articles available on PubMed regarding the role of PPARs in the pathogenesis and utility of PPAR agonists in the treatment of NAFLD were included in this review article. ClinicalTrials.gov and Clinical Trials Registry-India sites were searched for ongoing studies on saroglitazar. The available literature suggests that PPARs play an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Use of PPAR gamma agonists is associated with histological improvement in NAFLD. Dual PPAR agonists with no or minimal PPAR gamma activity are being explored in the treatment of NAFLD. Because of the pathophysiological role of PPARs in NAFLD, PPAR agonists are attractive options for the treatment of patients with NAFLD. Dual PPAR agonists without significant gamma activity appear promising for the treatment of NAFLD.