P- 18 ANASTROZOLE MAY NOT BE ASSOCIATED FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND HEPATIC FIBROSIS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

Introduction and Objectives

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent among women undergoing androgen inhibitors therapy for breast cancer. As breast cancer survival increases, understanding the long-term impact of anastrozole therapy on NAFLD becomes crucial. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of NAFLD in relation to anastrozole adjuvant therapy among breast cancer patients and to investigate the risk factors associated with the occurrence and progression of NAFLD.

Materials and Methods

Cross-sectional study, recruiting women with breast cancer from an oncology outpatient clinic. Participants underwent abdominal ultrasound to detect liver steatosis and transient elastography for hepatic fibrosis evaluation. Two groups were formed: those not receiving hormone therapy and those exposed to anastrozole.

Results

91 patients (mean age 58±12 years) were included (71 in the no hormone therapy group and 20 in the anastrozole-exposed group). Follow-up period ranged from 1-315 months [median 25, interquartile range (IQR) 70]. Prevalent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (27.5%), arterial hypertension (52.7%), dyslipidemia (26.4%), and obesity (47.7%). Exposure to anastrozole ranged from 1 to 60 months (mean 23 ± 15.8). Liver steatosis was detected in 50.5% of the patients, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.652). Median liver stiffness was also similar (5.2kPa, IQR 2.2, p = 0.102), with 6.7% of patients showing liver stiffness 8kPa (p = 0.613) and 4.5% with measurements 12kPa (p = 0.217). Variables associated with fatty liver were diabetes mellitus (p = 0.018), arterial hypertension (p = 0.047), dyslipidemia (p = 0.021), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.001), and follow- up time (p = 0.002). Liver stiffness 8kPa was associated with BMI (p = 0.033).

Conclusions

Half of breast cancer patients present NAFLD, with approximately 7% presenting advanced fibrosis. Anastrozole therapy was not associated with NAFLD. Shared metabolic risk factors may play a role in NAFLD in women with breast cancer.