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Hegmar H, Wester A, Aleman S, Backman J, Degerman E, Ekvall H, Lund K, Lundgren Å, Nasr P, Shahnavaz A, Vessby J, Westin J, Önnerhag K, Hagström H. Liver stiffness predicts progression to liver-related events in patients with chronic liver disease - A cohort study of 14 414 patients. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 38560775 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of liver fibrosis. It is uncertain if LSM can predict risk for future liver-related outcomes in large, heterogenous populations. METHODS This Swedish multi-centre cohort study included patients (n = 14 414) from 16 sites who underwent LSM by VCTE between 2008 and 2020. Outcomes were ascertained from national registers. We investigated progression to cirrhosis with portal hypertension or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), separately. Cox regression was used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs). Harrel's C-index was used to measure discrimination of VCTE. RESULTS Included patients had a median age of 46 (interquartile range 34-57), median LSM of 5.9 kPa (4.6-8.0), 59% were male, and the majority had hepatitis C (50.1%). During a median follow-up of 5.9 (4.3-8.0) years, 402 patients (2.7%) developed cirrhosis with portal hypertension. In patients with an LSM ≥25 kPa, 28.7% developed cirrhosis with portal hypertension within 5 years of follow-up, while only .6% of patients with an LSM <10 kPa did. This translated to a HR of 48.3 (95% confidence interval = 37.6-62.0). VCTE had a high discriminative ability, with C-indices above .80 for most liver diseases, including .82 for MASLD. Similar findings were seen for incident HCC. CONCLUSIONS Increased LSM by VCTE was associated with an increased risk of progression to both cirrhosis with portal hypertension, and to HCC, and had a high discriminative ability across different aetiologies of chronic liver diseases. These results support the use of VCTE to guide follow-up and treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Hegmar
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Wester
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soo Aleman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jens Backman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik Degerman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Falun Hospital, Falun, Sweden
| | - Håkan Ekvall
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sundsvall-Härnösand Regional Hospital, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Katarina Lund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Älvsborg County Hospital, Trollhättan, Sweden
| | - Åsa Lundgren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Central Hospital, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Patrik Nasr
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Afshin Shahnavaz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Södra Älvsborgs Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| | - Johan Vessby
- Department of Medical Sciences, Gastroenterology Research Group, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Westin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Önnerhag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Hannes Hagström
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Regnér S, Önnerhag K, Sternby H. Fatty liver disease and pancreatic inflammation-A lethal combination? United European Gastroenterol J 2023; 11:405-406. [PMID: 37169595 PMCID: PMC10256993 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Regnér
- Surgery Research UnitDepartment of Clinical Sciences MalmöLund UniversityMalmöSweden
- Department of Surgery and GastroenterologySkåne University HospitalMalmöSweden
| | - Kristina Önnerhag
- Department of Surgery and GastroenterologySkåne University HospitalMalmöSweden
- Gastroenterology Research UnitDepartment of Clinical Sciences MalmöLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Hanna Sternby
- Surgery Research UnitDepartment of Clinical Sciences MalmöLund UniversityMalmöSweden
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Henriksson I, Udumyan R, Nilsson E, Önnerhag K, Rorsman F, Werner M, Marschall HU, Wahlin S, Nyhlin N. Clinical outcomes and sick leave in relation to UDCA treatment in Swedish patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Scand J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:70-75. [PMID: 35993428 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2022.2103729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease that may progress into liver cirrhosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is known to prevent or delay the disease progression, but little is known about work incapacity in PBC patients. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes (transplantation-free survival; cirrhosis development) and sick leave in patients with PBC with and without UDCA therapy. METHODS The medical records of 526 patients with PBC diagnosed from 2004 to 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Sick leave data retrieved from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency were analysed for a sub-cohort of patients and matched controls. Cox regression was used for analysis of clinical outcomes. Logistic and conditional logistic regressions were used for sick leave analysis. RESULTS A total of 10.6% of patients died and 3.4% received liver transplantation over a median follow-up time of 5.7 years. UDCA-untreated patients (HR 3.62 (95%CI 2.02-6.49)) and UDCA non-responders (HR 3.78 (95% CI 1.87-7.66)) had higher mortality or transplantation rates than UDCA responders. Patients with PBC had higher odds of sick leave (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.69-3.70) than matched controls. Untreated patients were more likely to be on sick leave (OR 3.22; 95% CI 1.12-9.25) two years after diagnosis than UDCA responders. CONCLUSION Both untreated patients and UDCA non-responders had lower liver transplantation-free survival rates than UDCA responders. Patients with PBC were more likely to be on sick leave compared to matched controls from the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Henriksson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ruzan Udumyan
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Emma Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Gastroenterology Division, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina Önnerhag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Rorsman
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mårten Werner
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Staffan Wahlin
- Department of Upper GI Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nils Nyhlin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
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Andreasson A, Carlsson AC, Önnerhag K, Hagström H. Predictive Capacity for Mortality and Severe Liver Disease of the Relative Fat Mass Algorithm. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17:2619-2620. [PMID: 30471459 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the latest decades, obesity has become a major global health problem. Obesity has traditionally been defined as a body mass index (BMI) of equal to or more than 30 kg/m2. It is now well known that persons with obesity to a high degree develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and are at risk for developing cirrhosis.1 However, BMI has been criticized for being an imperfect measurement of body fat composition.2 Recently, a new algorithm was developed to better estimate the percentage of body fat.3 The relative fat mass (RFM) was based on height, waist circumference (WC), and sex. The RFM was found to be superior to BMI and other estimators in estimating body fat percentage, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry as the gold standard. RFM had also a stronger association with diabetes status than BMI. However, because the analyzed data came from a cross-sectional source, it is unclear if the RFM is superior to BMI or other measures of body composition in predicting incident clinically significant outcomes, including mortality. In addition, RFM was not compared with WC or waist-hip-ratio (WHR), which are commonly used clinically and in epidemiologic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Andreasson
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel C Carlsson
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Önnerhag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Hannes Hagström
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Andreasson A, Hagström H, Sköldberg F, Önnerhag K, Carlsson AC, Schmidt PT, Forsberg AM. The prediction of colorectal cancer using anthropometric measures: A Swedish population-based cohort study with 22 years of follow-up. United European Gastroenterol J 2019; 7:1250-1260. [PMID: 31700638 PMCID: PMC6826529 DOI: 10.1177/2050640619854278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective The objective of this article is to investigate whether anthropometric measures reflecting visceral obesity are better predictors of CRC than body mass index (BMI). Methods Data were analysed from the Malmö Diet and Cancer study in Sweden, comprising 16,669 women and 10,805 men (median age 56.6 and 59.1 years) followed for a median 21.5 years. Diagnoses of CRC were identified using Swedish national registers. Cox regression was used to test the associations of BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip-to-height ratio, A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and percentage body fat with the development of CRC adjusted for age, alcohol consumption, smoking, education and physical activity in men and women. Results None of the measures were significantly associated with an increased risk for CRC in women. WC was the strongest predictor of colon cancer (CC) in men and the only measure that was independent of BMI. ABSI was the only measure significantly associated with the risk of rectal cancer in men. Conclusions Visceral obesity, best expressed as WC, is a risk factor for CC in men but a poor predictive marker for CRC in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Andreasson
- Unit of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Hannes Hagström
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Filip Sköldberg
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristina Önnerhag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, Sweden
| | - Axel C Carlsson
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Peter T Schmidt
- Unit of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna M Forsberg
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Önnerhag K, Hartman H, Nilsson PM, Lindgren S. Non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems can predict future metabolic complications and overall mortality in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Scand J Gastroenterol 2019; 54:328-334. [PMID: 30907181 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2019.1583366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background and aim: Progression to fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of liver-related events, overall mortality and possibly metabolic comorbidities. Our aim was to determine if non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems can predict the future risk of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), liver-related events and overall mortality. Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD 1978 to 2006 were identified from a computerised register in Malmö, Sweden. Medical records were scrutinised in detail to collect data from inclusion to endpoint (death or end of 2016). Non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems (FIB-4-index, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), APRI and BARD score) were calculated and the scores classified into three risk categories (low, intermediate and high risk for advanced fibrosis). Chronic kidney disease was evaluated using the CKD-EPI equation. Results: One hundred and forty-four patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included, with a mean age of 53.2 years and a mean follow-up time of 18.8 years. At inclusion, 18% had advanced fibrosis. NFS was the only score that could predict the future risk of all included outcomes with fairly good accuracy (Area-under-ROC curve). Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios revealed that both the intermediate and high-risk category of FIB-4-index and NFS could significantly predict metabolic outcomes. All four scoring systems significantly predicted overall mortality in the high-risk category. Conclusions: Non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems, especially NFS and FIB-4-index, can be used to identify patients at risk of future liver-related events, overall mortality, metabolic comorbidities and CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Önnerhag
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden
| | - Hannes Hartman
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden
| | - Peter M Nilsson
- b Department of Clinical Sciences , Lund University Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden
| | - Stefan Lindgren
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden.,b Department of Clinical Sciences , Lund University Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden
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Oscarsson J, Önnerhag K, Risérus U, Sundén M, Johansson L, Jansson PA, Moris L, Nilsson PM, Eriksson JW, Lind L. Effects of free omega-3 carboxylic acids and fenofibrate on liver fat content in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Lipidol 2018; 12:1390-1403.e4. [PMID: 30197273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids and fenofibrates reduces serum triglyceride levels, but few studies have compared the effect of these agents on liver fat. OBJECTIVE The aim of the EFFECT I trial (NCT02354976) was to determine the effects of free omega-3 carboxylic acids (OM-3CA) and fenofibrate on liver fat in overweight or obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS Seventy-eight patients were randomized to receive oral doses of 4 g OM-3CA (n = 25), 200 mg fenofibrate (n = 27), or placebo (n = 26) for 12 weeks in a double-blind, parallel-group study. Liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and volume, pancreas volume, and adipose tissue volumes were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Changes in liver PDFF at 12 weeks were not significantly different across treatment groups (relative changes from baseline: placebo, +4%; OM-3CA, -2%; and fenofibrate, +17%). The common PNPLA3 genetic polymorphism (I148M) did not significantly influence the effects of OM-3CA or fenofibrate on liver PDFF. Fenofibrate treatment significantly increased liver and pancreas volumes vs placebo treatment, and the changes in liver and pancreas volumes were positively correlated (rho 0.45, P = .02). Total liver fat volume increased significantly in patients using fenofibrate vs OM-3CA (+23% vs -3%, P = .04). Compared with OM-3CA, fenofibrate increased total liver fat and liver volume. Serum triglycerides decreased with OM-3CA (-26%, P = .02) and fenofibrate (-38%, P < .001) vs placebo. In contrast to OM-3CA, fenofibrate reduced plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels and increased plasma acetylcarnitine and butyrylcarnitine levels, estimated delta-9 desaturase activity and the concentration of urine F2-isoprostanes. CONCLUSIONS OM-3CA and fenofibrate reduced serum triglycerides but did not reduce liver fat. Fenofibrate increased total liver volume and total liver fat volume vs OM-3CA, indicating a complex effect of fenofibrate on human hepatic lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ulf Risérus
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Per-Anders Jansson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linda Moris
- Karolinska Trial Alliance, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
| | - Peter M Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jan W Eriksson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Hagström H, Nasr P, Ekstedt M, Kechagias S, Önnerhag K, Nilsson E, Rorsman F, Sheikhi R, Marschall HU, Hultcrantz R, Stål P. Low to moderate lifetime alcohol consumption is associated with less advanced stages of fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 2017; 52:159-165. [PMID: 27650916 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2016.1239759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a lower risk of disease severity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is unclear if this reflects current or lifetime drinking, or can be attributed to confounders such as diet and exercise. We evaluated the impact of lifetime alcohol consumption on fibrosis severity in NAFLD. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 120 subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD and through detailed questionnaires examined lifetime alcohol consumption, diet and physical activity. Main outcome measures were odds ratios (OR) for fibrosis stage, calculated through ordinal regression after adjustment for body mass index, diabetes mellitus type 2, smoking and age at biopsy. A biomarker for recent alcohol consumption, phosphatidyl ethanol (PEth) was sampled. RESULTS An increase in median weekly alcohol consumption to a maximum of 13 drinks per week was associated with lower fibrosis stage (adjusted OR for each incremental unit, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.97; p = .017). The lowest risk for fibrosis was found with the lowes`t odds seen in the top quartile of alcohol consumption (aOR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08-0.66; p = .006). Adding soft drink and coffee consumptions, and physical activity to the model did not change the estimates. Subjects with PEth ≥0.3 μmol/L had higher ORs for a higher fibrosis stage (aOR 2.77; 95% CI 1.01-7.59; p = .047). CONCLUSION Lifetime alcohol consumption with up to 13 units per week is associated with lower fibrosis stage in NAFLD. Elevated PEth is associated with higher stages of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Hagström
- a Centre for Digestive Diseases, Division of Hepatology , Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden.,b Department of Medicine , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Patrik Nasr
- c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden.,d Department of Medical and Health Sciences , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Mattias Ekstedt
- c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden.,d Department of Medical and Health Sciences , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Stergios Kechagias
- c Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden.,d Department of Medical and Health Sciences , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Kristina Önnerhag
- e Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Skåne University Hospital, Malmö/Lund , Sweden
| | - Emma Nilsson
- e Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Skåne University Hospital, Malmö/Lund , Sweden
| | - Fredrik Rorsman
- f Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Uppsala University Hospital , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Reza Sheikhi
- f Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Uppsala University Hospital , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- g Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy , Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Rolf Hultcrantz
- a Centre for Digestive Diseases, Division of Hepatology , Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden.,b Department of Medicine , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Per Stål
- a Centre for Digestive Diseases, Division of Hepatology , Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden.,b Department of Medicine , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our aims were to investigate the natural history of biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Sweden, its associated complications, the clinical and biochemical factors associated with more advanced liver disease and the survival rate with a mean follow-up time of 27 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS All subjects participating in the population-based prospective cohort study Malmö Preventive Project (MPP) from 1974 to 1992 who had undergone liver biopsy with the diagnosis of NAFLD were included. The remaining MPP cohort was used as a control group. Subjects with other liver diseases and alcohol overconsumption were excluded. A panel of blood tests was analyzed in the MPP cohort. Follow-up of the NAFLD patients included studies of medical records, pathology records and mortality rates from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's register until the end of 2011. RESULTS A total of 36 patients were diagnosed with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Median follow-up time was 27.0 years (6.32-35.3). Nine patients (25%) were diagnosed with cirrhosis and five (14%) with hepatocellular cancer, all with a previous diagnosis of cirrhosis. There were significant differences in liver function tests, insulin resistance (as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and body mass index (BMI) in patients with NAFLD compared with the control group. Mortality in the NAFLD group was significantly higher, 58.3% compared to 33.8% (p = 0.004). Hepatocellular cancer accounted for 23.8% of all deaths in the NAFLD group, compared to 0.7% (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS NAFLD can progress to advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis, with a higher than expected mortality and incidence of hepatocellular cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Önnerhag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Skåne University Hospital , Malmö , Sweden
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