Effects of Bariatric Endoscopy on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is defined as steatotic liver disease (SLD) in the presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factor(s) and the absence of harmful alcohol intake. The spectrum of MASLD includes steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and MASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This joint EASL-EASD-EASO guideline provides an update on definitions, prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment for MASLD. Case-finding strategies for MASLD with liver fibrosis, using non-invasive tests, should be applied in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, abnormal liver enzymes, and/or radiological signs of hepatic steatosis, particularly in the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) or obesity with additional metabolic risk factor(s). A stepwise approach using blood-based scores (such as FIB-4) and, sequentially, imaging techniques (such as transient elastography) is suitable to rule-out/in advanced fibrosis, which is predictive of liver-related outcomes. In adults with MASLD, lifestyle modification - including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise and discouraging alcohol consumption - as well as optimal management of comorbidities - including use of incretin-based therapies (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide) for T2D or obesity, if indicated - is advised. Bariatric surgery is also an option in individuals with MASLD and obesity. If locally approved and dependent on the label, adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis (stage ≥2) should be considered for a MASH-targeted treatment with resmetirom, which demonstrated histological effectiveness on steatohepatitis and fibrosis with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. No MASH-targeted pharmacotherapy can currently be recommended for the cirrhotic stage. Management of MASH-related cirrhosis includes adaptations of metabolic drugs, nutritional counselling, surveillance for portal hypertension and HCC, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis.

EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is defined as steatotic liver disease (SLD) in the presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factor(s) and the absence of harmful alcohol intake. The spectrum of MASLD includes steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and MASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This joint EASL-EASD-EASO guideline provides an update on definitions, prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment for MASLD. Case-finding strategies for MASLD with liver fibrosis, using non-invasive tests, should be applied in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, abnormal liver enzymes, and/or radiological signs of hepatic steatosis, particularly in the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) or obesity with additional metabolic risk factor(s). A stepwise approach using blood-based scores (such as FIB-4) and, sequentially, imaging techniques (such as transient elastography) is suitable to rule-out/in advanced fibrosis, which is predictive of liver-related outcomes. In adults with MASLD, lifestyle modification - including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise and discouraging alcohol consumption - as well as optimal management of comorbidities - including use of incretin-based therapies (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide) for T2D or obesity, if indicated - is advised. Bariatric surgery is also an option in individuals with MASLD and obesity. If locally approved and dependent on the label, adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis (stage ≥2) should be considered for a MASH-targeted treatment with resmetirom, which demonstrated histological effectiveness on steatohepatitis and fibrosis with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. No MASH-targeted pharmacotherapy can currently be recommended for the cirrhotic stage. Management of MASH-related cirrhosis includes adaptations of metabolic drugs, nutritional counselling, surveillance for portal hypertension and HCC, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis.

Implementation of a randomized mobile-technology lifestyle program in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Identifying effective, feasible, low-cost interventions that promote sustainable lifestyle changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a key unmet need. The aim of this study was to assess predictors of lifestyle practice patterns of NAFLD patients and evaluate the implementation of a mobile technology-based intervention. We prospectively enrolled adults with NAFLD (diagnosed by imaging or biopsy). Individuals with additional liver diseases or decompensated cirrhosis were excluded. Patient were randomized to usual care or a FitBit based program for 6-months. We obtained anthropometrics, labs, vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE), health-related quality of life (HRQOL), physical activity, diet and motivation to change data. 70 patients were enrolled, 33% with cirrhosis. Median age was 52.1 years, 47% males, 83% white, body mass index 32.3, liver stiffness 7.6 kPa, controlled attenuation parameter 319 db/m, and 50% had diabetes. Baseline HRQOL was 5.4/7 and independently negatively correlated with level of concern about their disease and positively with physical function. Younger age was independently associated with unhealthy diets whereas diabetes was independently associated with unhealthy diets and higher VCTE kPa. 6-month follow-up data available on 31 patients showed trends in improvement in weight. In a cohort of NAFLD patients, we identified independent correlates of lifestyle behaviors and HRQOL. Implementation of interventions that improve physical function may improve HRQOL in NAFLD. Younger patients and those with diabetes appeared to have the greatest need for dietary interventions. Structured mobile technology lifestyle interventions using Fitbit and personalized coaching showed promise but require further validation with a focus on sustainability of intervention and improvement in outcomes.

Meta-analysis: Impact of intragastric balloon therapy on NAFLD-related parameters in patients with obesity

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease affecting approximately 25% of adults in the western world. Intragastric balloon (IGB) is an endoscopic bariatric therapy -a therapeutic endoscopic tool that has shown promise in inducing weight loss. Its role in the treatment of NAFLD is yet to be established.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of IGB as a treatment option in NAFLD.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE from inception to September 2022. We included studies evaluating the impact of IGB on obesity with the assessment of one or more liver-related outcomes and studies primarily evaluating the impact of IGB on NAFLD. We included comparative and non-comparative studies; primary outcomes were liver-related NAFLD surrogates.

RESULTS

We included 19 studies with 911 patients. IGB demonstrated an effect on NAFLD parameters including NAFLD activity score (NAS): mean difference (MD): -3.0 [95% CI: -2.41 to -3.59], ALT: MD: -10.40 U/L [95% CI: -7.31 to -13.49], liver volume: MD -397.9 [95% CI: -212.78 to 1008.58] and liver steatosis: MD: -37.76 dB/m [95% CI: -21.59 to -53.92]. There were significant reductions in non-liver-related outcomes of body weight, BMI, glycated haemoglobin and HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION

Intragastric balloons may play an important role in addressing the treatment gap in NAFLD management.

Updates in Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies

The rising prevalence of obesity, and related morbidity and mortality, has necessitated the development of therapeutic weight loss strategies. Lifestyle modifications alone have only yielded modest benefit, and while bariatric surgery has shown significant short- and long-term results, only a minority of eligible patients end up receiving this treatment. Endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) are a rapidly evolving field, which provides a less invasive middle ground treatment option for weight loss. Here we discuss the efficacy, as well as short- and long-term outcomes with restrictive, malabsorptive/metabolic and aspiration endoscopic techniques, and their effects on metabolic parameters.

NAFLD as the metabolic hallmark of obesity

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, associated with a high risk of progression to NASH, liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Its prevalence is closely related to obesity (understood as adipose-based disease and insulin resistance), which makes that at present NAFLD can be considered a metabolic dysfunction hallmark, regardless of the body mass index. Despite being such a prevalent condition, with such severe consequences, at present there are no reliable biomarkers for its diagnosis or specific treatment. Significant and sustained weight loss, as well as some antidiabetic treatments, has shown promising results for NAFLD but data needs confirmation in larger clinical trials and longer follow-up. Efforts should be made for a better and more accurate baseline diagnosis (including large-scale genetics), identification of patients at higher risk for progression to NASH as well as adequate treatment, to allow us to offer a personalized approach in NAFLD in the context of precision medicine.

Bariatric endoscopic-surgical therapies for NAFLD. Should they be considered viable options among current treatments?

Nowadays, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the first causes of liver transplant worldwide; many efforts have been done to find the perfect drug for this multifactorial disease. Presently we just have a few drugs that could be used in specific and limited clinical scenarios. Current evidence suggests that bariatric endoscopic and surgical therapies could be strategies with optimal outcomes, with high impact in quality of life, decrease of cardiovascular risk, and improvement in metabolic profile, despite being considered expensive procedures. This review proposes to consider these therapies early together with liver fibrosis evaluation, with long term cost-effectiveness benefits in the absence of response to lifestyle modifications and pharmacological treatments.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Its Complex Relation with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus—From Prevalence to Diagnostic Approach and Treatment Strategies

Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are increasing rapidly worldwide, reaching epidemic proportions. Their association, based on common metabolic risk factors (obesity, insulin resistance (IR), unhealthy lifestyle), brings an additional risk of both hepatic and cardiovascular (CV) adverse clinical outcomes. The terminology of “NAFLD” is stigmatizing to some but not all patients, and a more practical one should be announced soon. Medical strategies can address both diseases simultaneously, as they have crossing pathophysiological mechanisms, mainly IR. Strategies vary from lifestyle intervention and pharmacological options, as more molecules designated for T2DM treatment may be helpful in NAFLD, to surgical procedures. This review focuses on the coexistence of NAFLD and T2DM, pointing out the utility of the appropriate terminology, its prevalence, and mortality rates among the diabetic population. Briefly, we have discussed the main pathophysiological mechanisms and the risk stratification algorithm for the development of NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as well as the tools for evaluation of fibrosis. Finally, we have focused on the current therapeutic options for the treatment of NAFLD associated with T2DM.