The Global Epidemiology of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now known as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is closely associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our aim was to estimate the most recent global prevalence of NAFLD/MASLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now known as metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH), advanced fibrosis, and mortality among patients with T2D. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE for terms including NAFLD, NASH, and T2D published in 1990-2023 according to PRISMA. The meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Assessment of bias risk used the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. RESULTS: From 3134 studies included in the initial search, 123 studies (N = 2,224,144 patients with T2D) were eligible. Another 12 studies (N = 2733 T2D patients with liver biopsy) were eligible for histologic assessments. The global pooled prevalence of NAFLD/MASLD among patients with T2D was 65.33% (95% confidence interval, 62.35%-68.18%). This prevalence increased from 55.86% (42.38%-68.53%) in 1990-2004 to 68.81% (63.41%-73.74%) in 2016-2021 (P = .073). The highest NAFLD/MASLD prevalence among T2D patients was observed in Eastern Europe (80.62%, 75.72%-84.73%), followed by the Middle East (71.24%, 62.22%-78.84%), and was lowest in Africa (53.10%, 26.05%-78.44%). Among patients with liver biopsy data, the global pooled prevalence of NASH/MASH, significant fibrosis, and advanced fibrosis was 66.44% (56.61%-75.02%), 40.78% (24.24%-59.70%), and 15.49% (6.99%-30.99%), respectively. The pooled all-cause mortality was 16.79 per 1000 person-years (PY) (10.64-26.40), 4.19 per 1000 PY (1.34-7.05) for cardiac-specific mortality; 6.10 per 1000 PY (0.78-4.88) for extrahepatic cancer-specific mortality; and 2.15 per 1000 PY (0.00-2.21) for liver-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD/MASLD among T2D is high and growing. The majority of NAFLD/MASLD patients with T2D have NASH/MASH, and a significant proportion have advanced fibrosis.

Severe, Persistent, Disruptive Fatigue Post-SARS-CoV-2 Disproportionately Affects Young Women.

Introduction: Post-acute SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) symptoms are often persistent, disruptive, and difficult to treat effectively. Fatigue is often among the most frequently reported symptoms and may indicate a more challenging road to recovery. Purpose: To describe the natural history, symptomology, and risk profile of long-term post-acute SARS-CoV-2. Patients and Methods: Participants treated for SARS-CoV-2 within a large, community health system in the US were enrolled prospectively in a longitudinal, observational PASC study examining participants at enrollment and 6 months. Medical history, symptom reporting, validated measures of cognition, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), were performed for all participants and repeated during study follow-up visits. Results: A total of 323 participants completed baseline evaluations. Sixty one participants indicated clinically significant fatigue (23.1% at baseline); a representative sample of 141 enrollees also completed a baseline Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) in-depth fatigue reporting questionnaire, 37 had severe fatigue. The severely fatigued (FACIT-F ≤29.7) were significantly younger, female, had more anxiety and depression, had a higher resting heart rate, reported more sick days, and were less physically active post-COVID. They were more likely to have a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (13.5% vs 2.9%) but less likely to have a history of cancer (8.1% vs 23.1). Participants who were severely fatigued reported health, diet, weight, and sleep were worse than those not severely fatigued post-COVID (p = 0.02 to 0.0002). Fatigue was significantly correlated with impairment of all PROs administered after COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: Fatigue is a common symptom post-COVID-19 infection and is associated with lower reported well-being and function. Those with severe fatigue tended to be younger and female and have a past medical history of anxiety, depression, kidney disease, and more sedentary lifestyles.

Post-Acute SARS-CoV-2 Symptoms are Fewer, Less Intense Over Time in People Treated with Mono-Clonal Antibodies for Acute Infection.

Introduction: Many with post-acute SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) have persistent symptoms impacting physical and cognitive function, decreased health and health-related life quality. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment was available to acutely infected patients which might improve these outcomes. Purpose: To compare patient perception of PASC symptoms for those receiving bamlanivimab or casirivimab and imdevimab (mAbs) to those not receiving this treatment (non-mAbs). To compare changes between these groups in symptoms, function and quality of life over a 6-month follow-up. Patients and Methods: Consented adults >28 days post-infection with positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR or antigen test and SARS-CoV-2 infection between March of 2020 and July of 2022 were enrolled. This prospective, repeated measure observational study reports baseline through 6-month follow-up. Extensive sociodemographic data, detailed medical history, COVID-19 symptom history, and standardized measures of well-being, depression, anxiety, stigma, cognition, symptom assessment, distress, and health status were collected. Results: 323 participants [101 mAb, 221 non-mAb, 52.7±15.5 years, 47.7% male, body mass index (BMI) 31.4±8.4] were analyzed. Fewer symptoms at baseline were reported in mAb versus non-mAb participants (1.06±1.31 vs 1.78±2.15, respectively p=0.0177) 6 months: (0.911±1.276 mAb vs.1.75±2.22 non-mAb, p=0.0427). Both groups showed significant within-group decreases in symptom number (52 to 21 mAb, 126 to 63 non-mAb) and symptom burden (p=0.0088 mAb, p<0.00001 non-mAb). mAb patients had significantly shorter infection-to-baseline interval (days) (120.4±55.3 mAb vs 194.0±89.3 non-mAb, p<0.00001); less frequent history of myocardial infarction (0.0 vs 3.9%, p=0.0464); headache (2.0% vs.11.8%, p=0.0046), rash (3.1% vs 9.9%, p=0.0377), and miscellaneous muscle complaints (2.0% vs 12.3%, p=0.0035), plus significantly better 6-month mood. (2.2% vs 13.2%, p=0.0390). Conclusion: mAb treated participants had reduced symptom burden and consistently reported fewer symptoms than non-mAb at all time points despite less time since acute illness. Both groups reported a statistically significant decrease in symptoms by 6-month visit with no statistically significant differences between them at follow-up.

Association of physical activity and fine motor performance in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Fine motor performance may serve as an early warning sign for reduced cognitive function. Physical activity can help preserve cognitive function; however, the relationship between fine motor performance and physical activity is not well understood. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between fine motor performance and physical activity in individuals at risk for developing cognitive impairment (those with diabetes and/or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Individuals aged 25-69 with and without diabetes and NAFLD were enrolled. For this cross-sectional study, all participants completed the Human Activity Profile and fine motor performance tasks (Grooved Pegboard Test and Trail Making Test). RESULTS: There were 93 participants in the study (NAFLD only (n = 29); diabetes + NAFLD (n = 34), controls (n = 30)). Individuals with both diabetes and NAFLD were less physically active and performed slower on the fine motor performance task. A statistically significant correlation was found between physical activity and motor speed among those with NAFLD only (r = 0.436, p<.05), which remained statistically significant after controlling for body mass index (r = 0.385; p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that those with diabetes + NAFLD have lower levels of physical activity and slower fine motor performance. The relationship between physical activity and fine motor performance was only statistically significant in the group of individuals with NAFLD only. Future research needs to explore the mechanisms that impact fine motor performance and physical activity in individuals at risk for mild cognitive impairment. Individuals with diabetes and/or NAFLD should be identified, advised and encouraged to engage in physical activity.Key MessagesThose with NAFLD and T2DM have lower levels of physical activity and slower fine motor performance compared to controls and those with NAFLD only.Future research needs to explore the mechanisms that impact fine motor performance and physical activity in those with T2DM with or without NAFLD.Individuals with impaired fine motor performance should be identified and encouraged to engage in physical activity.

Regular Exercise Is Associated With Low Fatigue Levels and Good Functional Outcomes After COVID-19: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to identify the impact of postacute SARS-CoV-2 infection on patient outcomes. DESIGN: This is a prospective, repeated measure, observational study of consented adults with positive SARS-CoV-2 quantitative polymerase chain reaction or antigen test more than 28 days after infection. Only data from the initial study visit are reported, including disease history, symptoms checklist, patient questionnaires, cognitive tests, social/medical histories, vitals, grip strength, and 2-min walk distance. RESULTS: Two hundred eighteen patients were studied: 100 hospitalized (57.3 ± 15.4 yrs, 62% male, body mass index: 31.3 ± 8.0) and 118 nonhospitalized (46.2 ± 14.6 yrs, 31% male, body mass index: 29.7 ± 7.5). Post-COVID patients reported mean 1.76 symptoms; ≥15% reported fatigue, memory loss, and shortness of breath. Grip strength was 14% lower than norms ( P < 0.0001). Fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue), mood (Patient Health Questionnaire), and well-being (EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level) scores were lower than the population norms ( P < 0.05). Hospitalized versus nonhospitalized post-COVID patients performed worse on cognitive assessments (processing speed test-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition Symbol Search) and reported less regular exercise (≥30 mins ≥3× per week; P < 0.05). In addition, 30% had severe fatigue (by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue); those patients reported less exercise ( P < 0.05). In multivariate models, lack of exercise was independently associated with multiple post-COVID-19 impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of exercise are an independent risk factor for post-COVID sequelae. Patients who report less exercise have low grip strength, higher levels of fatigue, memory loss, shortness of breath, depression, and poorer quality of life.

The impact of variants and vaccination on the mortality and resource utilization of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outcomes among hospitalized patients may have changed due to new variants, therapies and vaccine availability. We assessed outcomes of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 from March 2020-February 2022. METHODS: Data were retrieved from electronic health medical records of adult COVID-19 patients hospitalized in a large community health system. Duration was split into March 2020-June 2021 (pre-Delta period), July-November 2021 (Delta period), and December 2021-February 2022 (Omicron period). RESULTS: Of included patients (n = 9582), 75% were admitted during pre-Delta, 9% during Delta, 16% during Omicron period. The COVID-positive inpatients were oldest during Omicron period but had lowest rates of COVID pneumonia and resource utilization (p < 0.0001); 46% were vaccinated during Delta and 61% during Omicron period (p < 0.0001). After adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, vaccination was associated with lower inpatient mortality (OR = 0.47 (0.34-0.65), p < 0.0001). The Omicron period was independently associated with lower risk of inpatient mortality (OR = 0.61 (0.45-0.82), p = 0.0010). Vaccination and Omicron period admission were also independently associated with lower healthcare resource utilization (p < 0.05). Magnitudes of associations varied between age groups with strongest protective effects seen in younger patients. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of COVID-19 inpatients were evolving throughout the pandemic and were affected by changing demographics, virus variants, and vaccination. KEY POINT: In this observational study of almost 10,000 patients hospitalized from March 2020-February 2022 with COVID-19, age and having multiple comorbidities remained consistent risk factors for mortality regardless of the variant. Vaccination was high in our hospitalized patients. Vaccination conveyed less severe illness and was associated with lower inpatient mortality.

Sarcopenia, healthy living, and mortality in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Sarcopenia is an important complication of CLD that can be impacted by several modifiable risk factors. Our aim was to assess the associations between healthy living, sarcopenia, and long-term outcomes among patients with CLD. We used the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data with National Death Index-linked mortality files. We used the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics as surrogates of healthy living. The study included 12,032 subjects (34.9% CLDs [0.5% hepatitis B virus (HBV), 1.8% hepatitis C virus (HCV), 5.7% alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), 26.9% nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)] and 65.1% controls). Prevalence of sarcopenia was higher among NAFLD than other CLDs and the controls (40.7% in NAFLD, 27.2% in ALD, 22.4% in HCV, 16.8% in HBV, and 18.5% in controls; p < 0.001). Among NAFLD and ALD, patients with sarcopenia were less likely to meet ideal LS7 metrics than those without sarcopenia. During 27 years of follow-up, among 4 patients with CLDs and the controls, all-cause cumulative mortality was highest among patients with HCV (35.2%), followed by ALD (34.7%) and NAFLD (29.6%). The presence of sarcopenia was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality only among subjects with NAFLD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.54; p = 0.04). Among subjects with NAFLD, presence of sarcopenia was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular-specific (HR 2.28 [1.71-3.05; p < 0.01]), cancer-specific (HR 1.90 [1.37-2.65]; p < 0.01), diabetes-specific (HR 6.42 [2.87-14.36]; p < 0.01), and liver-specific mortality (HR 2.49 [1.08-5.76]; p = 0.04). The multivariable model showed that component of LS7 metrics that provided the strongest protection against sarcopenia were ideal body mass index, ideal blood pressure, ideal physical activity, and ideal glycemic control among subjects with NAFLD subjects. Conclusions: Among subjects with NAFLD, sarcopenia is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality and liver mortality. Attainment of ideal LS7 metrics provides protection against sarcopenia in NAFLD.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with chronic liver disease: Results from the Global Liver Registry.

Patients with preexisting chronic liver disease (CLD) may experience a substantial burden from both coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and pandemic-related life disruption. We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with CLD. Patients enrolled in our Global Liver Registry were invited to complete a COVID-19 survey. As of June 2021, 2500 patients (mean age ± SD, 49 ± 13 years; 53% men) from seven countries completed the survey. Of all survey completers, 9.3% had COVID-19. Of these patients, 19% were hospitalized, 13% needed oxygen support, but none required mechanical ventilation. Of all patients including those not infected with COVID-19, 11.3% reported that the pandemic had an impact on their liver disease, with 73% of those reporting delays in follow-up care. The Life Disruption Event Perception questionnaire confirmed worsening in at least one area (food/nutrition, exercise, social life, vocation/education, financial situation, housing, or health care) in 81% and 69% of patients with and without a history of COVID-19, respectively (p = 0.0001). On a self-assessed Likert health score scale (range, 1-10; 10 indicates perfect health), patients with a COVID-19 history scored lower (mean ± SD, 6.7 ± 2.2 vs. 7.4 ± 2.2, respectively; p < 0.0001) despite reporting similar health scores if there was no pandemic (mean ± SD, 8.5 ± 1.4 vs. 8.4 ± 1.6, respectively; p = 0.59). After adjustment for country of enrollment, liver disease etiology and severity, age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, and history of psychiatric comorbidities, COVID-19 was found to be independently associated with lower self-assessed health scores (beta = -0.71 ± 0.14; p < 0.0001). The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a substantial burden on the daily life of patients with CLD.

Abnormal cardiac and metabolic measures correlate significantly with lower performance and activity in overweight chronic liver disease.

People with Hepatitis C (HCV) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the United States follow national trends toward a sedentary lifestyle and are increasingly at risk for hypertension. The intent of this study was to identify potential correlates of exercise tolerance in people with two types of chronic liver disease (CLD)-NAFLD and HCV. Measures included cardiac output, oxygen consumption and stroke volume, blood pressure, distance walked in 6 minutes, clinical laboratory tests, and medications influencing the autonomic nervous system, patient self-reports of activity, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). A total of 67 patients completed the 6-minute walk test [45.1% Female, Age 51.7 ± 8.0 years, Body Mass Index 32.8 ± 5.9, 60% HCV]. At baseline, 70% had either diastolic (DBP) or systolic blood pressure outside normal range. Performance and cardiorespiratory measures correlated strongly with one another, but not with activity. Patients with abnormal DBP reported significantly lower maximum activity (MAS; r = -.254, P = .041, CI = -0.51 to -0.010; MAS 70.6 vs 82.5), significantly higher DBP post-6-minute walk test (r = .524, P = .0001, CI = 0.287-0.762) and significantly lower overall HRQL items related to physical domains (r = .273, P = .029, CI = -0.518 to -0.029). Mental-domain HRQL and depression measures did not correlate significantly with blood pressure. This study reports a significant correlation between both pre-hypertensive and hypertensive DBP, poor physical-domain self-reports, HRQL, and performance in CLD patients.

Relationships among neurotransmitters, cytokines and cognitive performance for individuals with hepatitis C achieving sustained virologic response: A pilot study.

An important extrahepatic consequence of Hepatitis C is its adverse impact on the central nervous system and cognitive performance. We aimed to determine whether there is a significant relationship between selected neurotransmitters and cytokines and cognitive performance in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C before and after achieving sustained virologic response (SVR). Pre-SVR, elevated kynurenine was associated with increased immediate and delayed visual memory, whereas post-SVR the positive associations are between kynurenine and immediate and delayed verbal memory. TGF-B was consistently negatively associated with both immediate and delayed visual memory pre- and post-SVR. These concomitant changes may have important clinical relevance.

Aerobic capacity and exercise performance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Exercise has proven effective in treating NAFLD, and many clinical initiatives seek to increase uptake of exercise in this population. This study aimed to elucidate the physiological responses of individuals with NAFLD to graded exercise testing. METHODS: Seventeen participants with presumed NAFLD and 15 without were assessed through symptom-limited, Modified Bruce treadmill testing. Gas exchange, impedance cardiometry, and perceived exertion ratings were used to assess exercise performance, response and perception. Patient-self reports were also obtained. RESULTS: Individuals with NAFLD were older (49.00 [38.50, 54.50] vs. 30.00[22.00, 42.00] years, P=0.018) with higher Body Mass Index (32.54[27.38, 34.98] vs. 25.62[23.76, 30.72], P=0.012), but demonstrated no other differences with regards to sex, race, blood pressure, resting heart rate, or habitual activity. Individuals demonstrated no between-group differences in total exercise time, anaerobic threshold (AT) onset time, or cardiac output. While individuals with NAFLD displayed a decreased peak oxygen consumption (VO2) (25.70[23.60, 27.20] vs. 31.00[26.00, 42.70], P=0.036) relative to controls, a similar difference was not found for the percentage of predicted VO2max achieved, suggesting that NAFLD may not impair exercise physiology beyond what is observed in obese individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise capacity appears preserved in participants with NAFLD relative to their control counterparts. Peak VO2 is reduced among these patients, suggesting impaired aerobic capacity. Future studies may seek to determine whether this finding is directly related to the diagnosis of NAFLD, or more generally to states of obesity and physical deconditioning.

Perception of Effort During Activity in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) are used to monitor and prescribe exercise intensity for a variety of patient populations. It is important to understand RPE in different patient populations to ensure appropriate prescriptions and maximize the likelihood of adherence. Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are a constellation of diseases that are associated frequently with fatigue, metabolic abnormalities, and cardiovascular disease, all targets for prescription of exercise. However, there have been no investigations of the correlates of RPE in those with CLD. OBJECTIVE: To correlate RPE during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) with biological/physiological measures in subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). DESIGN: Observational analytical study. SETTING: Specialty clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 51 subjects with NAFLD or CH-C (age: 51.1 ± 8.8 years, 35% female) was enrolled. Subjects receiving antiviral therapies or those with recent myocardial infarction, cardiovascular, or musculoskeletal comorbidities affecting exertion were excluded. METHODS: Participants underwent fasting morning venipuncture, and resting cardiorespiratory data were collected. Then the participants completed a 6MWT. At the conclusion of the 6MWT, participants reported their RPE, and cardiorespiratory data were reassessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: RPE, 6MWT, resting/postexertion cardiorespiratory data (eg, heart rate, cardiac output), Human Activity Profile (HAP), fasting morning glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), lipids, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined. RESULTS: For the entire group, RPE was significantly correlated to serum IL-8 and GLU but not to the other factors. When we controlled for age and triglycerides, RPE remained significantly related to GLU (rs = 0.54; P = .04), maximal activity level (HAP) (rs = 0.58; P = .03), and distance walked (rs = 0.61; P = .03) in those with NAFLD. In those with CH-C, only IL-8 remained a strong correlate of RPE (rs = 0.54; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with CH-C, RPE was related to an inflammatory factor, whereas in individuals with NAFLD, RPE was related to a metabolic and a lifestyle factor.

Survey of health status, nutrition and geography of food selection of chronic liver disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, a complex disease determined both by genetic and environmental factors, is strongly associated with NAFLD, and has been demonstrated to have a negative impact on HCV and other chronic liver diseases (CLD). RATIONALE: This study assessed the association between type and location of food sources and chronic liver disease (CLD) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). RESULTS: CLD patients completed surveys [267 subjects, 56.5% female, age 55.8 ± 12.0, type of CLD: 36.5% hepatitis C (HCV), 19.9% hepatitis B (HBV), 19.9% non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); primary food source (PFS): 80.8% grocery store, secondary: 26.2% bulk food store, tertiary: 20.5% restaurants; fresh food (FF): 83%, pre-packaged (PP) 8.7%, already prepared (AP) 8.3%]. FF consumers had significantly fewer UEH servings/month (p = 0.030) and lived further away from convenience stores (1.69 vs. 0.95 km, p = 0.0001). Stepwise regression reveals the lowest FF consumers were NAFLD patients, subjects with UEH or restaurants and ethnic food stores as their PFS (R = 0.557, p = 0.0001). Eating already-packaged foods and utilizing restaurants or ethnic food stores as the PFS positively correlated with NAFLD (R = 0.546, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Environmental food source measures, including type and density, should be included when examining areas hyper-saturated with a variety of food options. In hyper-saturated food environments, NAFLD patients consume more prepared food and less FF. CLD patients with UEH also eat significantly more prepared food and frequent restaurants and ethnic food stores as their PFS.

Multiple factors predict physical performance in people with chronic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether physical performance correlates with metabolic and inflammatory measures in research subjects with chronic liver disease. DESIGN: This is a prospective, descriptive cohort study correlating performance on a 6-min walk test with cardiorespiratory variables, metabolic measures (glucose [GLU], C-peptide insulin, and lipids), liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), and the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8). RESULTS: This study enrolled 51 subjects (18 women) with chronic liver disease: 41% (n = 21) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and 59% (n = 30) with hepatitis C virus. Age, resting heart rate, and fasting GLU correlated significantly with distance walked (P's < 0.05). First quartile "poor performers" (n = 14) and fourth quartile "high performers" (n = 14) showed differences in age, sex, fasting GLU, and IL-8 level (P's < 0.05). Combining the number of abnormal serum values (IL-8, C-peptide insulin, GLU, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and total cholesterol) did not correlate with distance walked (P > 0.90). However, in multiple regression analysis, a model that included sex, age, resting heart rate, IL-8 level, and fasting GLU level explained approximately 39% of the variance in the distance walked during the test. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, female sex, abnormal levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8, abnormalities of GLU metabolism, and high resting heart rate are associated with poor physical performance in subjects with chronic liver disease. Poor physical performance is associated with physiologic, metabolic, and inflammatory abnormalities in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis C virus.

Comparison of activity level among patients with chronic liver disease.

PURPOSE: To determine whether self-reported maximal and daily activity levels are impaired among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV). METHODS: Clinicodemographic, diagnostic, self-report and standard laboratory data were obtained. Univariate, multivariate and regression analyses were performed comparing group maximal (Maximum Activity Score [MAS]) and daily activity scores (Adjusted Activity Score [AAS]), adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-two patients completed activity-level self-reports (mean age [52.4 ± 10.0 years], BMI [28.3 ± 6.58], 31.2% NAFLD, 48.3% HCV, 20.3% HBV). On multivariate analysis, significantly higher MAS (p < 0.05) and AAS in HBV patients correlated with absence of cirrhosis, younger age, male gender (higher MAS) and lower BMI (higher AAS). Lowest activity levels were found primarily in obese patients (p < 0.009). Compared with population norms, NAFLD and HCV cohorts scored mildly disabled on MAS; the HBV cohort scored low normal. Mild disability on AAS was observed in patients with HBV; moderate disability in those with NAFLD, HCV. CONCLUSIONS: All groups had significantly lower activity levels than population norms. Nonobese patients showed significantly less disability than obese patients. Patients with NAFLD and HCV are likely to have lower levels than those with HBV without cirrhosis. This presents an additional risk factor for disability and mortality. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: • Hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients had significantly lower activity levels than expected for their age and gender, as measured by the Human Activity Profile (HAP). • Overweight and normal weight chronic liver disease (CLD) patients showed significantly less disability than obese chronic liver disease patients. • Patients with NAFLD and HCV are likely to participate in low levels of activity that require fewer metabolic equivalents for completion, adding an additional risk factor for disability and mortality. • Targeting low activity level in CLD patients, and decreasing BMI below the obesity threshold, may reduce disability and risk of mortality.

Depression in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic viral hepatitis B and C.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and depression may be at a higher risk for various complications, including impaired quality of life and more advanced liver disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in CLD patients (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV)) and to identify potential clinical and laboratory correlates of depression in these patients. METHODS: We used a database of CLD patients that contains extensive clinical (including self-reported depression) and laboratory data for each patient. We compared the prevalence of depression in patients with HBV, HCV, and NAFLD. We also used regression models to find independent predictors of depression in these patients. RESULTS: Of 878 CLD patients, 207 (23.6%) had a diagnosis of depression (NAFLD 27.2%, HCV 29.8%, and HBV 3.7%). Examination of predictors of depression differed by the type of chronic liver disease. For NAFLD, independent predictors of depression were the presence of hypertension, smoking, history of lung disease, being female, and non-African-American. For HBV patients, the only independent predictor of depression was excessive alcohol consumption (defined as >10 g/d), while for HCV patients, independent predictors were being female and non-Asian, presence of fatigue, and excessive alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that individuals with NAFLD and HCV have a higher prevalence of depression than HBV patients and the rates of depression reported for the general population. The most consistent correlates of depression status in CLD patients are being female and excessive alcohol consumption.