Objective: To investigate the Liver Functional Test (LFT) and hepatic ultrasound (US) usefulness in the diagnostic of NASH.
Background: NASH is part of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), this condition can lead to cirrhosis; it is associated with others frequents diseases in Mexico such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately the diagnosis of NASH is not easy, since it must be confirmed by an hepatic biopsy and this requisite can conditionate a subnormal register. Until now, we don't have programs oriented to detect this disease; even though several high risk populations have been identified.
Methods: We compared the results of LFT and hepatic US often patients with NASH and ten healthy volunteers. Both groups where matched; the sensibility (S), specificity (Sp) and predictive values (PV) of each test were established. Student t test was used in the statistic analysis.
Results: The tests with the most notable difference were aminotransferases (AST, ALT), indirect billirubin (IB) and the US; with S of 100% to IB and US; Sp 100% to aminotransferases; PV+ 100% to ALT and AST, and 71% to US; and PV- 100% to IB and US.
Conclusions: LFT and US are useful to detect NASH, the periodic testing of subjects with type 2 diabetes and overweight in risk of NASH is proposed as an effective tool of detection for the cases that require a subsequent study by a gastroenterologist.