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Abstract Details
Screening for undiagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): A population-based risk factor assessment using vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE)
PLoS One. 2021 Nov 30;16(11):e0260320. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260320.eCollection 2021.
Wayne Eskridge1, John M Vierling2, Wayne Gosbee3, Gabriella A Wan1, May-Linh Hyunh1, Henry E Chang1
Author information
Fatty Liver Foundation, Boise, Idaho, United States of America.
Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
Link2Labs, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
Abstract
The screening for undiagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (SUNN) study was a population-based screening study that aimed to provide proof of concept to encourage community-level screening and detection for this non-communicable disease. Current screening guidelines do not recommend the routine screening of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) for asymptomatic populations, so providers are not encouraged to actively seek disease, even in high-risk patients. This study sought to determine whether a self-selecting cohort of asymptomatic individuals would have scores based on vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) significantly correlated to risk factors to suggest that routine screening for high-risk patients should be recommended. The study recruited 1,070 self-selected participants in Houston and Galveston County, Texas, 940 of which were included in final analysis. A pre-screening survey was used to determine eligibility. VCTE-based scores analyzed steatosis and fibrosis levels. Fifty-seven percent of the study population demonstrated steatosis without fibrosis, suggesting NAFLD, while 16% demonstrated both steatosis and fibrosis, suggesting NASH. Statistically significant risk factors included factors related to metabolic syndrome, race, and age, while statistically significant protective factors included consumption of certain foods and exercise. The findings of this study suggest that high-risk individuals should be screened for NAFLD even in the absence of symptoms and that community-based screenings are an effective tool, particularly in the absence of proactive guidelines for providers.