Prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in morbidly obese subjects undergoing gastric bypass.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Obesity is the most common cause of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This is a prospective study to determine the incidence and severity of NASH in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity. We also examined the relationship between NASH and potential risk factors.

METHODS:

In 48 consecutive patients at RYGBP, a core liver biopsy was obtained from the left lateral segment. A single liver pathologist reviewed the histology for steatosis, ballooning/disarray, necroinflammation, and fibrosis.

RESULTS:

84% of patients were female, and average BMI was 51. 18% had WHR >1. The following risk factors were present: DM 16%; hyperlipidemia 61%; HTN 47%; and abnormal LFTs 18%. 90% had abnormal liver histology, and 56% qualified for the diagnosis of NASH. Only DM and abnormal LFTs were found to be significantly related to NASH.

CONCLUSIONS:

NASH is a common co-morbidity of obesity and requires systemized grading and staging to develop accurate knowledge of the incidence, severity, natural history and impact of weight loss.

• Authors: Laurie Spaulding, Thomas Trainer, Dorota Janiec
• Journal: Obesity surgery (Obes Surg) Vol. 13 Issue 3 Pg. 347-9 (Jun 2003) ISSN: 0960-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12841891 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Age Distribution
• Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y
• Biopsy, Needle
• Comorbidity
• Fatty Liver (epidemiology, pathology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gastric Bypass (methods)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Obesity, Morbid (epidemiology, surgery)
• Prevalence
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Assessment
• Sampling Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sex Distribution