Non-aspirin NSAIDs use is associated with lowering of liver fibrosis scores in patients with fatty liver disease

Abstract

Only a few studies are available with appropriate data on the effects of non-aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use in patients with fatty liver disease. We performed a retrospective study of 1347 patients with imaging studies that showed fatty liver disease from 2016 through 2019. We then determined the change in validated indices using Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). Patient clinical information, including NSAIDs use, was collected at baseline and then yearly. Using generalized linear models, we estimated the association between non-aspirin NSAIDs use and change in baseline indices. Non-aspirin NSAIDs use was found to be associated with significant lowering of FIB-4 score (0.596 units lower, p-value <0.0001) and NFS (0.431 units lower, p-value 0.0027) every year. In this retrospective study of patients with fatty liver disease found on imaging, non-aspirin NSAID use was associated with lowering of fibrosis scores, suggesting that NSAID use might be associated with a lower risk for advanced fibrosis in fatty liver disease.