*EMBARGOED All research presented at the 2019 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course is strictly embargoed until Monday, October 28, 2019, at 8:00 am CDT.
P1551 The Prevalence of Liver Fibrosis in Hispanic Adolescents With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is High and Independent of the Presence of Prediabetes and Diabetes
Author Insight from Sanjeet Sandhu, DO, University of Texas Health Science Center
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
In a study cohort of obese Hispanic adolescence, the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis was 63% with no correlation to A1c levels. All obese Hispanic adolescents are at significantly higher rate to develop hepatic fibrosis prior to adulthood. Based on this study cohort of Obese Hispanic adolescents, screening Hispanic adolescents regardless of BMI could be effective in determine what percent BMI values lead to an increase in hepatic fibrosis. Earlier intervention in this high-risk population is crucial to long term hepatic health.
What do patients need to know?
Current criteria used to diagnose NAFLD are unreliable and fail to predict the subset of patients who will progress to NASH. Pediatric screening guidelines use Body Mass Index (BMI) with a serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) level to measure risk of NAFLD developing into cirrhosis. Relying solely on ALT levels is inaccurate as levels can be normal even in advanced cirrhosis, leading to missed/delayed opportunities for early intervention. Using ultrasound technology, transient elastography measures liver stiffness (indirect marker of fibrosis) in a rapid, reproducible manner that is more reliable than serum biomarkers. Transient elastography values allow for identification of suspected fibrosis in Hispanic adolescents with normal ALT levels and provide time for early intervention to prevent the progression of fibrosis.
Author Contact
Sanjeet Sandhu, DO, University of Texas Health Science Center
sandhus [at] uthscsa [dot] edu
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