De-novo nonalcoholic fatty liver disease at 5 years after liver transplantation: prevalence and predictive factors

Abstract

Background and aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a long-term complication after liver transplantation. Our aims were to determine de-novo-NAFLD at 5-year post-liver transplantation and identify predictive risk factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of de-novo-NAFLD at 5-year post-liver transplantation. NAFLD was defined as the radiological evidence of steatosis. Data from transplanted patients between November 2001 and May 2014 were collected. Noninvasive fibrosis scores were calculated. Predictors of de-novo NAFLD and survival were assessed by multivariate analyses and Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: A total of 252 liver transplantations were evaluated after applying exclusion criteria, (78.6% men) with 54.9 years old (SD ± 9.5). Prevalence of de-novo NAFLD at 5-year post-liver transplantation was 36.1%. Cardiovascular events were presented in 19.88% and 23.08% of non-NAFLD and NAFLD patients, (P = 0.58). On multivariate analysis, male sex (OR, 5.40; P = 0.001), obesity (OR, 3.72; P = 0.017), metabolic syndrome (OR, 4.69; P < 0.001) and de-novo diabetes (OR, 2.79; P = 0.018), were predictive. Significant fibrosis (≥F2) was presented in 58-86%. The mean survival in NAFLD and control group was 166.3 and 173.6 months, respectively (P = 0 0.50).

Conclusion: De-novo NAFLD at fifth-year post-liver transplantation is frequently and associated with cardiovascular comorbidity. Male sex, obesity, de-novo diabetes and metabolic syndrome were factors associated with de-novo NAFLD. A significant proportion of patients had advanced fibrosis. This group trends toward worse patients' survival.