Incidence and Predictors of Liver-Related Events in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Prognostic value of liver stiffness in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Liver stiffness measurement, assessed by vibration-controlled transient elastography, has been recognized as a powerful tool for liver fibrosis assessment. The potential of liver stiffness measurement to predict clinically relevant outcomes in fatty liver disease has received considerable attention. This study aimed to investigate the prediction of liver-related events in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease patients by liver stiffness measurement value on transient elastography.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov until 6 September 2023. The hazard ratios adjusted for confounders were extracted and pooled by random-effects model analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 20587 individuals from 7 studies were included. The pooled HRs were 18.65 (95% CI 9.95-34.95, P < 0.01, I2 = 0%) in the stratification analysis of the highest versus lowest liver stiffness measurement categories. In 1-kPa analysis, the risk of liver-related events was increased with 1 kPa increment (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07, P < 0.01, I2 = 74.47%).

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease patients with high liver stiffness measurement values were at an increased risk of liver-related events. Liver stiffness measurement can be used as a prognostic tool to achieve risk stratification in fatty liver patients.

ABDA Score: A Non-invasive Model to Identify Subjects with Fibrotic Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis in the Community

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are prevalent in the community, especially among those with metabolic syndrome. Patients with fibrotic NASH are at increased risk of liver-related-events. Currently available non-invasive tests have not been utilized for screening for fibrotic NASH among the community. We aimed to develop a screening tool for fibrotic NASH among community members.

Methods

We included two large cohorts aimed at assessing cardiovascular disease among community members. Fibrotic NASH was defined using the FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase score of ≥0.67 that identifies ≥F2 fibrosis and a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score ≥4 with a specificity of 90%. Metabolic parameters, biochemical tests and anthropometry were used to develop a multivariate model.

Results

The derivation cohort (n = 1660) included a population with a median age 45 years, 42.5% males, metabolic syndrome in 66% and 2.7% (n = 45) with fibrotic NASH. Multivariate analysis identified the four significant variables (Age, body mass index , Diabetes and alanine aminotransferas levels) used to derive an ABDA score. The score had high diagnostic accuracy (the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.952) with adequate internal validity. An ABDA score ≥-3.52 identified fibrotic NASH in the derivation cohort with a sensitivity and specificity of 88.9% and 88.3%. The score was validated in a second cohort (n = 357) that included 21 patients (5.9%) with fibrotic NASH, where it demonstrated a high area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (0.948), sensitivity (81%) and specificity (89.3%).

Conclusions

ABDA score utilizes four easily available parameters to identify fibrotic NASH with high accuracy in the community.