Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Morbidly Obese Patients

Overview

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal liver biochemistry tests in the world. The prevalence rate of NAFLD has been reported to be 30-40% in men and 15-20% in women, up to 70% of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM) and even surpassing 74% to 90% of morbidly obese patients with body mass index (BMI) higher than 35 kg/m^2. The primary aims of this prospective cohort study would evaluate the predictive factors of successful weight reduction, NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) improvement in a large cohort of morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Secondarily, the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive serum markers, doppler ultrasonography and transient elastography would be validated. Thirdly, we would conduct gene expression analyses to elucidate biological pathways underlying NAFLD phenotypes in this unique cohort.

Full Title of Study: “Predictors of Improvement of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: July 2020

Detailed Description

This prospective study have been approved by Taipei Medical University-Joint Institutional Review Board. The starting point for each patient is the day of surgery and the end-point is 1 year after the operation. During bariatric surgery, all patients would undergo a liver biopsy under laparoscopic guidance. The diagnosis of NASH and liver fibrosis would be made histologically. For histological examinations, liver tissue specimens would be fixed in 10 % formalin, embedded in paraffin, and then stained with hematoxylin and eosin. A detailed history wound be obtained including history of alcohol use, type 2 DM, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. Written informed consents would be obtained from all patients who would agree to undergo surgery. A histologic assessment would be planned approximately 1 year after bariatric surgery, if patient would agree. In this study, excess weight loss (EWL) is defined as the excess weight over the ideal body weight calculated according to the Metropolitan Life Weight Tables. The weight reduction success would be defined as the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) >50% at the point of 1 year after operation. Diagnosis and classification of type 2 DM is based on criteria established by the American Diabetes Association. The individual components of glycemic control (levels of serum glucose, HbA1c levels) body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure would be examined. Additionally, the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, insulin, C-peptide, iron, calcium, complete blood cell counts would be assessed 1 day before surgery and 12 months post-operatively. All patients would receive abdominal ultrasonography, duplex doppler ultrasonography, transient elastography (FibroScan®) before and 12 months after bariatric surgery. The diagnosis accuracy of transient elastography (FibroScan®) would be validated. Transient elastography (FibroScan®) appears to be a non-invasive, reproducible, and reliable method for predicting liver fibrosis, in patients with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, NAFLD and alcoholic liver disease. Patients body weight would be measured in light clothing without shoes to the nearest 0.1 kg, and body height would be measured to the nearest 0.1 cm. BMI is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Waist circumference would be measured midway between the lateral lower rib margin and the superior anterior iliac crest.

Interventions

  • Procedure: Bariatric surgery
    • During bariatric surgery, all patients would undergo a wedge liver biopsy under laparoscopic guidance.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Morbidly obese patients with NAFLD
    • Morbidly obese patient with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The starting point for each patient is the day of surgery and the end-point is 1 year after the operation. During bariatric surgery, all patients would undergo a wedge liver biopsy under laparoscopic guidance. The diagnosis of NASH would be made histologically.

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Change from body mass index (BMI) at 12 months after surgery
    • Time Frame: pre-surgery and 12 months after surgery
    • The BMI would be calculated by dividing the body weight (in kilograms) by the square body height (in meters).

Secondary Measures

  • Change from alanine aminotransferase at 12 months after surgery
    • Time Frame: pre-surgery and 12 months after surgery
    • Liver function test
  • Change from aspartate aminotransferase at 12 months after surgery
    • Time Frame: pre-surgery and 12 months after surgery
    • Liver function test
  • Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
    • Time Frame: 1 day of surgery
    • The diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) would be made histologically. A score for steatosis, activity and fibrosis would be given to each patient for the diagnosis of NASH as in Bedossa’s study. (Reference: Hepatology. 2012 Nov;56(5):1751-9.)

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Adult male and female Morbidly obese patients age 20-65 years with BMI over 37.5 kg/m^2, or BMI over 32.5 kg/m^2 with comorbidity other than diabetes (hypertension, NASH, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis joint…etc.) or BMI over 27.5 kg/m^2 with poor control diabetes undergoing bariatric surgery Exclusion Criteria:

  • The presence of end organ damage – Previous bariatric surgery – Women who are pregnant or nursing – Prolonged exposure to known hepatotoxins such as alcohol or drugs – Concurrent hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, or human immunodeficiency virus infection – Concurrent autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis – Wilson disease or hemochromatosis

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 20 Years

Maximum Age: 65 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Taipei Medical University Hospital
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Weu Wang, M.D.&PhD, Study Chair, Comprehensive weight management center, Taipei Medical University hospital

References

Chalasani N, Younossi Z, Lavine JE, Diehl AM, Brunt EM, Cusi K, Charlton M, Sanyal AJ; American Gastroenterological Association; American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; American College of Gastroenterologyh. The diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: practice guideline by the American Gastroenterological Association, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and American College of Gastroenterology. Gastroenterology. 2012 Jun;142(7):1592-609. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.04.001. Epub 2012 May 15. No abstract available. Erratum In: Gastroenterology. 2012 Aug;143(2):503.

Rinella ME. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review. JAMA. 2015 Jun 9;313(22):2263-73. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.5370. Erratum In: JAMA. 2015 Oct 13;314(14):1521.

Morita S, Neto Dde S, Morita FH, Morita NK, Lobo SM. Prevalence of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Steatohepatitis Risk Factors in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg. 2015 Dec;25(12):2335-43. doi: 10.1007/s11695-015-1696-5.

Puzziferri N, Roshek TB 3rd, Mayo HG, Gallagher R, Belle SH, Livingston EH. Long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery: a systematic review. JAMA. 2014 Sep 3;312(9):934-42. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.10706.

Arterburn D, Powers JD, Toh S, Polsky S, Butler MG, Portz JD, Donahoo WT, Herrinton L, Williams RJ, Vijayadeva V, Fisher D, Bayliss EA. Comparative effectiveness of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding vs laparoscopic gastric bypass. JAMA Surg. 2014 Dec;149(12):1279-87. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2014.1674.

Lee WJ, Almulaifi A, Chong K, Chen SC, Tsou JJ, Ser KH, Lee YC, Chen JC. The Effect and Predictive Score of Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with BMI < 30 kg/m(2). Obes Surg. 2015 Oct;25(10):1772-8. doi: 10.1007/s11695-015-1603-0.

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