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Body fat distribution may predict fibrosis in patients with alcoholic liver disease

Abdominal height predicted significant fibrosis in patients with alcoholic liver disease, according to new data presented at the International Liver Congress in Barcelona, Spain, that also supports a role for visceral fat accumulation in the onset of alcoholic liver damage.

Researchers measured visceral abdominal fat and height in 127 consecutive alcoholic patients with abnormal liver test findings for which histology data were available.

Abdominal height (23±0.4 cm vs. 21±0.5 cm; P<.005), waist circumference (94±1.6 cm vs. 88±1.9 cm; P<.05), fasting blood glucose concentration (5.8±0.15 mmol/L vs. 5.3±0.2 mmol/L; P<.05), serum triglyceride concentration (2.4±0.75 g/L vs. 1.1±0.86 g/L; P<.05), and body mass index (BMI) (25±0.6 vs. 23±0.7; P=.05) were higher in the 72 patients with advanced (F2-F4) fibrosis than in the 55 patients with F0-F1 fibrosis. HDL cholesterol levels (1.7±0.1 mmol/L vs. 2.1±0.1 mmol/L; P<.01) were lower in the 72 patients with advanced (F2-F4) fibrosis compared with the 55 patients with F0-F1 fibrosis.

“We have shown that BMI is an independent risk factor for fibrosis in alcohol-induced liver disease and that adipose tissue inflammation is correlated with liver lesions in alcoholic patients,” the researchers wrote. “Our findings support a role for visceral fat accumulation, independent of BMI and of metabolic syndrome criteria, in the onset of alcoholic liver damage.”

For more information:

Naveau, S. Abstract #29. Presented at: The International Liver Congress, April 18-22, Barcelona, Spain.