Abstract
ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence and evaluate sonographic findings compatible with changes consistent with hepatic steatosis in patients referred for abdominal ultrasonography at four reference centers in Aracaju, SE, Brazil.Materials and MethodsProspective, descriptive survey, with analytical and quantitative approach, comprising abdominal ultrasonography scans performed with a convex, dynamic 3.75 MHz transducer. Liver dimensions and parenchymal echotexture were evaluated, classifying hepatic steatosis into grades (1, 2 or 3). The SPSS® 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis, adopting p < 0.05 as significance level.ResultsA total of 800 individuals (561 women and 239 men) were evaluated. The prevalence of steatosis was 29.1%, and the male patients were most affected, presenting with more advanced grades of disease (p = 0.021), as follows: 119 grade 1 (51.0%); 94 grade 2 (40.4%); and 20 grade 3 (8.6%). The median age patients' was 46 years.ConclusionIn the present study sample, the prevalence of hepatic steatosis was high, particularly in the male patients. Ultrasonography is suggested as a first choice for the diagnosis of this condition, considering its wide availability, low cost and absence of side effects or risks to the patient.
Highlights
Liver steatosis is characterized by deposition of lipids on hepatocytes, exceeding 5% of the total liver weight, in the absence of other causes of hepatic diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption and metabolic diseases[1]
Most individuals with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by simple steatosis are asymptomatic, the disease insidiously develops with few reports of bad feeling and abdominal discomfort
Significant association was observed as regards sex and grade of liver steatosis, with men presenting with more advanced grades (p = 0.021), and lower than expected number of men for grade 1, and higher than expected number for grades 2 and 3
Summary
Liver steatosis is characterized by deposition of lipids on hepatocytes, exceeding 5% of the total liver weight, in the absence of other causes of hepatic diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption and metabolic diseases[1] Such a condition is the most simple component of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whose spectrum includes from simple steatosis, cirrhosis, to possible progression to hepatocellular carcinoma[1,2]. The steatosis prevalence has been increasing worldwide, probably because of changes in lifestyle, eating habits and developments in diagnostic methods[3]. The relevance of such a fact increases as one considers. With the use of US, the prevalence of steatosis in industrialized countries ranges from 20% to 40%(11)
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