The Effect of Weight Reduction on Ultrasonographic Findings of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Abstract

 Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) includes a spectrum of diseases ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NAFL is typically seen in association with obesity, diabetes and hypertriglyceridaemia. In order to seek the role of diet therapy in treatment of NAFL, we compared the ultrasonographic findings of patients with fatty liver disease before and after standard diet therapy.

Methods

Twenty-three overweight or obese subjects with incidental fatty liver discovered during ultrasonography were included. Subjects underwent 3 months of diet therapy, and anthropometric data including weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference were mea­sured. Ultrasonographic findings were graded from 0 to 3. Changes in ultrasonographic findings and anthropometric data were studied.

Results

After three months of dieting, the ultrasonographic grade of all patients decreased by one or two grades. Fifteen patients decreased one grade while 8 others decreased by 2 grades. We observed a significant corre­lation between the decrease in ultrasonographic grade and the decrease in weight and BMI.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that standard diet therapy could be used as an effective treatment for NAFL patients.