Abstracts of the 2021 Annual meeting of the ALEH (Asociación Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Hígado)
More infoNonalcoholic fatty fiver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystemic disease that can affect several systems and tissues. Recently, low bone mass density (BMD) and vitamin D deficiency were been associated with the severity of NAFLD and there has been significant scientific interest in the relationship between vitamin D, BMD and NAFLD. This study aimed to assess the status of vitamin D and BMD in liver fibrosis and in NAFLD.
MethodsAdults without vitamin D replacement and with established risk factors for the development of NAFLD were selected, such as: obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The non-invasive assessment of NAFLD and degrees of fibrosis was performed by ultrasound (US-FLI) and ultrasound elastography. BMD was measures with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The 25(OH)D3 was determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay technology.
ResultsA total of 42 participants were enrolled and hepatic steatosis was present in 24. All data are presented as median (IQR) or n (%). Age 66 (52-61) years, 36 (85.7%) were women. The median of 25(OH)D3 levels was 21 (18-28) ng/mL. The frequency of liver fibrosis, low levels of vitamin D (< 20 ng/mL) and low BMD was, respectively: 29%, 44% and 61%. We found 5.5% osteoporosis, 50% osteopenia and 5.5 low BMD for age.
ConclusionThe frequency of low BMD and low Vit D levels is higher in the population with steatosis and high incidence of liver fibrosis than in the general Brazilian population.