Fetuin-A, a Promising Serum Biomarker for Diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseThe work investigate the role of fetuin-A in the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Predicting Complications of Hepatolithiasis After Hepatectomy
Liver DiseasesComplicationPostoperative complications seriously affect the recovery of patients undergoing hepatectomy. Identifying risk factors and develop predictive models of complications for patients with hepatolithiasis undergoing hepatectomy is important for clinical practice.
Abundance and Distribution of Lipids and Proteins in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common type of liver disease in the United States. The incidence of NAFLD is very similar to that of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome. The investigators hypothesize that there may be a relationship between over-nutrition, decreased physical activity and the development of fatty liver. The purpose of this study is to identify the types of fats and proteins, and the quantity of each, that are associated with increased severity of NAFLD.
Technical Validation of MR Biomarkers of Obesity-Associated NAFLD
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseNon-alcoholic SteatohepatitisThe overall goal of this collaborative research program is to develop, validate and translate advanced quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) biomarkers of obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This protocol represents the research plan for two distinct phases. The first phase is an optimization phase. The second phase is designed to complete a rigorous test of conventional and advanced MRE techniques. Complementary anthropometric, laboratory, and MR measures will also be collected to characterize the cohort and identify factors that affect MRE performance
Advanced Chronic Liver Disease Screening by Transient Elstography in Patients Hospitalised in a...
Psychiatric DisorderPsychiatric Hospitalization2 moreScares data exists concerning the prevalence of chronic liver diseases in people with psychiatric disorders. There are still many barriers to screening and linkage to care for patients having somatic illness. Moreover follow-up of these patients may be difficult because of poor access to care, sometimes marginalization, and insufficient compliance with health programs. The aim of this study is to asses acceptability of of advanced chronic liver disease screening by transient elstography (Fibroscan ®) in patients hospitalised in a psychiatric unit.
The Association Between Skeletal Muscle Mass and Severity of Polycystic Liver Disease and Polycystic...
Polycystic Kidney DiseasesPolycystic Liver Disease1 morePrimary sarcopenia is used to describe aging and progressed with the physiologic decline. Secondary sarcopenia is associated many chronic disease, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome, cancer, chronic heart failure, chronic lung disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In the past, nutrition status is evaluated by body mass index, mid-upper -arm circumference and serum albumin. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is also a common method to measured body composition, but bioelectrical impedance analysis will be affected by tissue edema and ascites. In contrast, cross-section imaging, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance can analyzed abdominal muscle and fat accurately. Since computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can evaluate the severity of polycystic liver and kidney disease. Investigators can use cross section imaging at 3rd lumber level to separate skeletal muscle and fat tissue. Previous studies showed the quantity and quality of abdominal muscle are important prognostic factor after liver transplantation. Besides, chronic kidney disease and receiving renal placement therapy lead protein catabolism and make patients with end stage renal disease have sarcopenia. Finally, patients with polycystic liver and kidney disease have organomegaly, which causes abdominal distention and poor appetite. Therefore, the aim of this study is to observe the association between skeletal muscle mass and the severity of disease and to study whether change in hepatic and renal volumes is associated with change in muscle mass.
Point-of-care Ultrasound Screening and Assessment of Chronic Liver Diseases and NASH
Liver DiseasesLiver Cirrhosis5 moreThe main objective of the study is to determine the diagnostic performances of an ultraportable diagnostic ultrasound system for the assessment of liver fibrosis severity in patients with NASH, and to compare them to other non-invasive tests.
Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Elastography in Porto-sinusoidal Vascular Disorder
Portal HypertensionNon-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension8 morePorto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is considered a rare cause of portal hypertension (PH), resulting from specific histological alterations that essentially affect the small portal branches and sinusoids, in the absence of cirrhosis. In recent years, the recognition and importance of PSVD has increased, notably due to the widespread use of transient elastography (TE). However, the definitive diagnosis of PSVD can only be established through liver biopsy. Recent data show that PSVD should be suspected in patients with PH and TE ≤ 20 kPa and liver biopsy should be considered in this context. The investigators hypothesize that hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and magnetic resonance liver elastography (MRE) may help in the selection of liver biopsy candidates for the diagnosis of PSVD. The primary objective of the study is to describe HVPG and MRE values and liver biopsy findings in patients with PH and TE ≤ 20 kPa. The search for serum markers that can distinguish these patients from those with cirrhotic portal hypertension without the need for liver biopsy will also be the object of this study. 50 patients will be included, prospectively and retrospectively, in a comparative study between diagnostic methods, with a cross-sectional design.
A Pilot Study of Acarbose as Treatment for Pediatric Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseThe objective of this study is to demonstrate a reduction of intrahepatic fat as measured with Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy after 12 weeks administration of oral acarbose. The study will also examine the hypothesis of whether the chronic administration of acarbose in patients with NAFLD will influence postprandial substrate metabolism reflected in the RQ measured by indirect calorimetry.
Clinical Epidemiology of NAFLD in Children and Adolescents
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseChildhood ObesityBackground: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing alongside overweight and obesity, not only in adults but also in children and adolescents. It is unknown what impact the development of NAFLD in childhood may have in later life. The importance of early detection and treatment lies in its potential for progression to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death, as well as its associated extrahepatic comorbidities. Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) with Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) is an effective, non-invasive and safe diagnostic method to estimate the degree of fibrosis and steatosis in the liver, but little is known about its applicability in the paediatric population. Objectives: 1) To assess the prevalence of significant liver fibrosis (LSM≥6,5kPa) using VCTE, and that of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (≥225dB/m) using CAP in children and adolescents. 2) To determine the optimal cut-off points of the CAP to achieve maximum concordance with the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in the diagnosis of mild, moderate and severe NAFLD in children and adolescents. Methods: cross-sectional population-based study which will include 2.866 subjects aged ≥9 to ≤16 years. Participants will undergo: anamnesis, physical examination, blood extraction, VCTE, MRI and questionnaires on socio-demographic data, personal and family medical history and lifestyle assessment. Applicability and relevance: the study aims to establish the foundations for the use of VCTE in children and adolescents in order to achieve early diagnosis of NAFLD. Moreover, it will serve to understand in further detail the disease and to identify the risk groups of children and adolescents who may be at risk of developing it. Ultimately, this will help determine to which subgroups of the population we need to target resources for prevention and early detection of this entity, as well as possible intervention for its treatment.