Gastrointestinal Therapeutics

Biography

Biography: Nuno Vieira e Brito,

Abstract

Background: There is a known association between liver damage and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not a frequent and well-studied complication in these patients. \\r\\n\\r\\nAim: This study aims to establish the prevalence of NAFLD in IBD patients and compare a population with and without NAFLD in order to characterize differences in the groups. \\r\\n\\r\\nMethods: A cohort of Crohn’s disease (CD) patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound imaging was selected and CD patients diagnosed with NAFLD on ultrasound (US) were compared to those without NAFLD in a case-control study.\\r\\n\\r\\nResults: From a population of 1059 patients, 313 (those with a valid abdominal US) were included for further analysis. Among these, 93 had signs of liver steatosis on US giving a prevalence of 29,7%. A ratio of 1:1 was used to conduct further statistical analysis. The mean age of patients with NAFLD was higher (39 years±11vs 45years±12; p<0,01) as well as the mean age at diagnosis (27years±11 vs. 32years±12; p=0,08). NAFLD patients had a worse lipidic profile (higher triglycerides and lower HDL) than controls as well as a higher liver enzyme level (AST, ALT, GGT). This study found no significant association with drug therapy (azathioprine, corticosteroids and anti-TNF) and NAFLD, however there was an association found regarding previous surgical procedures.\\r\\n\\r\\nConclusion: The changes caused by surgical procedures seem to be the most important factor in the development of NAFLD in CD patients, possibly due to alterations in microbioma. \\\\r\\\\n