Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery calcification.

BACKGROUND: Both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are closely related to many metabolic disorders. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) is a reliable noninvasive method in demonstrating coronary plaque. However, the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and NAFLD remains controversial. AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between CAC score and NAFLD. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 295 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who had both coronary angiography by MSCT and hepatobiliary imaging during self-paid physical check-ups. RESULTS: NAFLD was found in 41% of the enrolled 295 subjects; gall bladder stones were found in 10.8%, and CAC > 100 with moderate-high risk of CAD was found in 12.9% of subjects. Male gender (odds ratios (OR), 3.087; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.092-8.729), increased age (OR, 1.108; 95% CI, 1.067-1.151), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR, 2.968; 95% CI, 1.129-7.803), and NAFLD (OR, 2.462; 95% CI, 1.065-5.691) were the independent factors that increased the risk of CAC > 100 in binary logistic regression. The prevalence of NAFLD also increased with the severity of CAC score (400, 64.3%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Besides the traditional risk factors, such as male gender, increased age, and DM, NAFLD was also associated with moderate to high risk of CAD (CAC > 100).

Reappraisal of endosonography of ampullary tumors: correlation with transabdominal sonography, CT, and MRI.

PURPOSE: To reappraise the accuracy of transabdominal sonography (US), CT, MRI, and endosonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and staging of ampullary tumors. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records and the images of 41 consecutive patients with ampullary tumors. Tumor detection rate and accuracy of TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) staging of malignant tumors were determined. Imaging findings were correlated with histopathologic findings. RESULTS: The detection rates for ampullary tumors were 97.6% for EUS, 81.3% for MRI, 28.6% for CT, and 12.2% for US (p < 0.001 for EUS versus CT; p < 0.001 for EUS versus US; p > 0.05 for EUS versus MRI). The accuracy in T staging for ampullary carcinomas was 72.7% for EUS, 53.8% for MRI, and 26.1% for CT (p < 0.01 for EUS versus CT; p > 0.05 for EUS versus MRI). The accuracy in N staging for ampullary carcinomas was 66.7% for EUS, 76.9% for MRI, and 43.5% for CT with no statistically significant difference between the 3 modalities. The sensitivity in detecting malignant lymph nodes was 46.7% for EUS, 25.0% for MRI, and 0% for CT (p < 0.01 for EUS versus CT; p > 0.05 for EUS versus MRI; p > 0.05 for MRI versus CT). Transpapillary stenting, advanced tumor extension (>T2), large tumor size (>2 cm), tumor differentiation, and endoscopic appearance of tumor growth did not significantly influence EUS accuracy in T or N staging (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EUS was superior to CT and was equivalent to MRI for tumor detection and T and N staging of ampullary tumors. Neither indwelling stents nor tumor size, differentiation, or endoscopic appearance affected the staging accuracy of EUS.

Clinical significance of elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in chronic hepatitis C without hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Alpha-fetoprotein is often measured in subjects with chronic hepatitis C for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its prevalence and clinical significance remain inconclusive in subjects without hepatocellular carcinoma. The study was to assess the clinical, virologic, and histopathological significance of elevated AFP in chronic hepatitis C without the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: The retrospective study enrolled 102 consecutive subjects with a histological diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C. None had evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma by image study at enrollment and for at least 6 months' follow-up. The correlation between serum alpha-fetoprotein level and clinical, virologic, or histopathological records was reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (> or = 13.6 ug/L) was 28.4% (29/102) in this study. Hepatic steatosis (> or = 5% hepatocytes), hepatic fibrosis (> or = stage II), uric acid > or = 6.3 mg/dL, asparate aminotransferase > or = 40 IU/L, albumin < 3.5 g/dL, and fasting plasma glucose < 126 mg/dL were significantly associated with elevated AFP in multivariate analysis. However, neither hepatitis C virus genotype Ib infection nor viral load > or = 1x10(6) copies/ml was related to elevated AFP. A serum alpha-fetoprotein level of 15.6 ug/L was 34.3% sensitive and 83.6% specific for hepatic steatosis, was 28.2% sensitive and 95.8% specific for > or = stage II hepatic fibrosis in Chronic hepatitis C. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated alpha-fetoprotein is independently associated with hepatic steatosis (> or = 5% hepatocytes), > or = stage II hepatic fibrosis, increased level of uric acid (> or = 6.3 mg/dL) or asparate aminotransferase (> or = 40 IU/L), and decreased level of albumin (< 3.5 g/dL) or fasting plasma glucose (< 126 mg/ dL). Viral factors, including hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection and viral load, are not related to elevated alpha-fetoprotein in hepatitis C virus-infected subjects.

The treatment of isolated left-sided hepatolithiasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been over 20 years since percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) or left lateral segmentectomy with postoperative cholangioscopy (POC) was applied in treating isolated left-sided hepatolithiasis (ILH). However, their efficacy in treating ILH is not elucidated clearly in the literature. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was conducted in 59 patients with ILH undergoing either PTCSL or left lateral segmentectomy with POC during the past 22 years. The mean period of followup was 10.8 years (1-22 years). RESULTS: Hepatolithiasis restricted in the left external hepatic duct (LEHD), whose stones can be cleared by left lateral segmentectomy without undergoing POC, was only found in 17% (10/59) of the patients with ILH. The overall complication rate of left lateral segmentectomy with POC was 22% (4/18), and of PTCSL was 17% (7/41). Either in patients with (82%, 9/11 vs. 71%, 12/17; p > 0.05) or without intrahepatic ducts (IHDs) stricture (100%, 7/7 vs. 92%, 22/24; p > 0.05) in the liver remnant, the rates of complete stone clearance were comparable between left lateral segmentectomy with POC and PTCSL. The stone recurrence rate and cumulative nonrecurrence rate in patients with IHDs stricture in the liver remnant were also comparable between left lateral segmentectomy with POC and PTCSL (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, hepatolithiasis did not recur in patients without IHD stricture in the liver remnant after left lateral segmentectomy with POC, whose stone recurrence rate was lower than those without (0%, 0/7 vs. 50%, 10/20; p = 0.026) or with (0%, 0/7 vs. 7/12, 58%; p = 0.017) IHDs stricture undergoing PTCSL. After undergoing left lateral segmentectomy with POC, the cumulative nonrecurrence rate was also higher in patients without IHDs stricture in the liver remnant than those with IHDs stricture in the liver remnant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Left lateral segmentectomy with POC and PTCSL have comparable efficacy in treating ILH. However, no stone recurs when ILH are completely removed without IHD stricture left in the liver remnant after left lateral segmentectomy with POC. The presence of IHDs stricture in the liver remnant is the major factor contributing to ILH recurrence after successful left lateral segmentectomy with POC.

The accuracy of sonography in predicting steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

The accuracy and clinical significance of sonography (US) in demonstrating fatty liver and hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are rarely reported. US had sensitivity 71.1%, specificity 72.9%, 58.7% positive predictive value (PPV), and 82.3% negative predictive value (NPV) in demonstrating histological steatosis > or =5%. US had sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 60.4%, 13% PPV, and 98.4% NPV in demonstrating histological steatosis > or =30% with clinical significance in predicting prognosis and therapeutic response in CHC. Subjects with fatty liver on US had a greater prevalence of body mass index (BMI) > or =25 kg/m2, inflammation-necrosis grade >2, and total bilirubin <1.2 mg/dl in multivariate analyses. US had sensitivity 27.4%, specificity 62.5%, 71.9% PPV, and 19.7% NPV in demonstrating histological fibrosis of stage II or above, and sensitivity 13.6%, specificity 66.3%, 9.4% PPV, and 75.0% NPV in demonstrating fibrosis of stage III or above. There was no correlation between fibrotic sonographic patterns and histological stage of fibrosis (r = -0.167, P = 0.083). Besides hepatic steatosis, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of advanced necrosis-inflammation grade in interpreting a report of bright liver on gray-scale US. Gray-scale US cannot replace liver biopsy as the optimal diagnostic procedure for the prediction of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis prior to initiating therapy for CHC.

Prevalence and etiology of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level in an adult population in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and etiologies of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have geographic variations and they are rarely reported in Taiwan. Through a population-based screening study, the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population of Taiwan were assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3260 Chinese adults (age >or=18 years) undergoing ultrasonography (US), blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) included alcohol intake <20 g/week for women or <30 g/week for men, negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, no known etiologies of liver disease, and US consistent with fatty liver. RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated ALT was 11.4% (372/3260). The probable cause of this elevation was excess alcohol consumption in 0.8%, HBV in 28.5%, HCV in 13.2%, both HBV and HCV in 2.2%, NAFLD in 33.6%, and unexplained cause in 21.8%. The etiologic distribution of elevated ALT was similar in both genders, although elevation was more common in men compared to women (17.3%vs 6.1%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of elevated ALT in NAFLD was 18.1% (125/691), and the positive predictive value was 33.6% (125/372). The development of NAFLD was related to increasing age (age between 40 years and 64 years, odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-2.01; age >or= 65 years, OR 1.46, 95%CI: 1.08-1.96), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) >or= 126 mg/dL (OR 1.54, 95%CI: 1.11-2.14), body mass index (BMI) >or= 25 kg/m(2) (OR 5.01, 95%CI: 4.13-6.26), triglyceridemia >or= 150 mg/dL (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.58-2.42), and hyperuricemia (OR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.22-1.84). Elevated ALT was related to male gender, BMI >or= 25 kg/m(2), and triglyceridemia >or= 150 mg/dL in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease appears to be the commonest cause of elevated ALT and presumed liver injury in Taiwan. The development of NAFLD is closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders are also related to elevated ALT in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease.

Prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease in an adult population of Taiwan: an epidemiological survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease (GSD) in an adult population of Taiwan through a population-based screening study. METHODS: A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3333 Chinese adults (aged > or = 18 years) undergoing ultrasonography. A questionnaire on personal history was completed to ascertain whether the removed gallbladder contained stones in all cholecystectomized subjects, the dietary habits (vegetarian/non-vegetarian diet), the history of GSD in the participant's first-degree relatives, the history of gastrointestinal surgery (vagotomy, gastrectomy for peptic ulcer disease, or ileal resection), parity, and use of oral contraceptives. The demographic characteristics and biochemical parameters were recorded. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of GSD was 5.0% (4.6% in men, 5.4% in women) with no significant sex differences (men/women: odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-1.01, P = 0.058). Logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age (men: 40-64 years, OR 7.38, 95% CI 2.59-21.01, P < 0.001 and > or = 65 years, OR 14.16, 95% CI 4.84-41.47, P < 0.001; women: 40-64 years, OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.90-8.75, P < 0.001 and > or = 65 years, OR 6.78, 95% CI 2.97-15.46, P < 0.001) and the presence of fatty liver evidenced by ultrasonography (men: OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.32-3.80, P = 0.003; women: OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.33-3.42, P = 0.002) were risk factors for GSD. Additionally, fasting plasma glucose > or = 126 mg/dL (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.16-3.83, P = 0.014), history of GSD in the first-degree relatives (OR 7.47, 95% CI 2.22-25.12, P = 0.001), and use of oral contraceptives (OR 10.71, 95% CI 3.06-37.49, P < 0.001) were risk factors for GSD in women, but fasting plasma glucose > or = 126 mg/dL was only correlated to GSD without controlling for other confounding factors in men. Other demographic characteristics and biochemical parameters, such as high body mass index (> or = 25 kg/m2), increased parity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, hepatitis C infection and cirrhosis, did not exhibit any correlation to GSD in logistic regression analysis, although they appeared to be related to GSD in women in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Age and fatty liver in both sexes were found to be risk factors for GSD in the study population. The finding of a correlation between fatty liver and GSD is an important addition to the literature concerning the risk factors of GSD. Diabetes mellitus, history of GSD in the first-degree relatives, and use of oral contraceptives were also risk factors for GSD in women.

Prevalence and risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in an adult population of taiwan: metabolic significance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in nonobese adults.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rarely reported in Taiwan. GOALS: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in an adult population of Taiwan. STUDY: The cross-sectional community study examined 3245 adults in a rural village of Taiwan. The diagnostic criteria for NAFLD included no excessive alcohol intake, no chronic viral hepatitis, no known etiologies of liver disease, and ultrasonography consistent with fatty liver. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD was 11.5% (372/3245). The risk factors for NAFLD in the general population were male sex [odds ratio (OR), 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.90], elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR, 5.66; 95% CI, 3.99-8.01), obesity (OR, 7.21; 95% CI, 5.29-9.84), fasting plasma glucose > or =126 mg/dL (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.41-3.05), total cholesterol > or =240 mg/dL (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.06-2.13), triglyceride > or =150 mg/dL (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.32-2.35), and hyperuricemia (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.16-2.01). Age > or =65 years was inversely related to NAFLD (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36-0.77). The only NAFLD risk factors among nonobese subjects were age between 40 and 64 years (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.34-4.11, P=0.003), elevated ALT (OR, 15.45; 95% CI, 8.21-29.09, P<0.001), and triglyceride > or =150 mg/dL (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.42-4.32, P=0.001). In subjects with NAFLD, the prevalence of elevated ALT in the presence of each metabolic risk factor, such as obesity, fasting plasma glucose > or =126 mg/dL, total cholesterol > or =240 mg/dL, triglyceride > or =150 mg/dL, and hyperuricemia, did not differ from that of subjects with normal ALT levels. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is closely associated with elevated ALT, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia. Among the metabolic disorders, only hypertriglyceridemia was related to NAFLD in nonobese subjects. Serum ALT level was not a good predictor of metabolic significance in subjects with NAFLD.