Does weight history affect fibrosis in the setting of chronic liver disease?

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate weight history in chronic liver disease and assess for associations with advanced fibrosis. Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI) was used to assess lifelong weight and eating habits.

Results: 38 patients had a diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and 37 had other chronic liver disease. The body mass index (BMI) did not predict the presence of advanced fibrosis. The time with BMI over 30 kg/m2 was 19.2 years+/-15.7 with advanced fibrosis and 8.6 years+/-10.4 in the non-advanced group (p=0.002). Independent predictors of fibrosis were: 1) Non-NAFLD (OR 6.2); 2) obesity, with a BMI over 30 for more than 15 years (OR 12.4); 3) at least moderate alcohol use (OR 12.2); 4) advanced age (OR 3.3). Weight history did not impact NALFD differently from Non-NAFLD.

Conclusions: BMI over 30 for more than 15 years increases the risk of advanced fibrosis in all chronic liver diseases, on par with the risk of alcohol ingestion.