"Prevalence, Predictors, and Impact of Hepatic Steatosis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study"

Background and aims: There are no prospective studies evaluating effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). This prospective observational study assessed the prevalence of NAFLD, its predictors, and its effect on long-term outcomes in UC.

Methods: Consecutive UC patients underwent transient elastography, body composition analysis, bone densitometry, anthropometry, and baseline demographic and subjective global assessment. NAFLD was diagnosed by controlled attenuation parameter of >260 dB/m. To evaluate predictors and outcomes, patients of UC with NAFLD (n = 29) were compared with age- and sex-matched patients of UC without NAFLD (n = 27).

Results: Among 107 patients of UC (mean age-29 ± 10.6 years; males = 56%, median disease duration-48 [interquartile range: 24-84] months, left sided/pancolitis = 84%), 27% (n = 29) had NAFLD. Patients with body mass index (BMI) > 23 kg/m² had higher proportion of NAFLD than with normal or low BMI (54.7% [23/42] vs 10% [5/50] vs 6.7% [1/15]). Patients with NAFLD had high BMI (P < 0.001), waist circumference, and fat mass (P < 0.001) but similar fat-free mass (P = 0.798) compared to patients without NAFLD. There was no difference in immunosuppressant and cumulative steroid exposure between two groups. Dietary parameters including daily energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake were similar between the two groups. On multivariate analysis, high BMI was found to be predictive and low socioeconomic status as a protective factor of NAFLD. On long-term follow-up of three years, there was no difference in steroid, or biologic requirement, disease-related hospitalization, or composite of all three outcomes between two groups.

Conclusion: The prevalence of NAFLD was found in nearly a quarter of patients of UC and was affected by metabolic parameters rather than disease activity.