Author information
1 Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
2 Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
3 Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To determine whether pediatric patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exposed to psychotropic medications have more severe liver disease compared to their counterparts who are not on these medications. We hypothesize that use of psychotropic agents is associated with liver disease severity.
METHODS:
Children and adolescents with biopsy confirmed NAFLD were included in this study. Histology data, detailed clinical information and results of serum biochemistries performed within three months of the liver biopsy were collected retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate modeling was used to determine differences between the groups and to control for confounders.
RESULTS:
228 patients were included, 17 (8%) of whom where on psychotropic medications at the time of the liver biopsy. Patients on psychotropic medications were more likely to also be on metformin (53% vs. 18%, p?
CONCLUSIONS:
In this large cohort of children with biopsy confirmed NAFLD, the use of psychotropic medications was associated with increased liver disease severity. Exposure to psychotropic agents should be considered when risk stratifying children with NAFLD.