Michael Carter
Published: 12 July 2017
Over a third of people with HIV have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the absence of hepatitis B or C, according to the results of a meta-analysis and systematic review published in AIDS. Metabolic disorders including high body mass index (BMI), diabetes and elevated lipids were key risk factors. The study also revealed high prevalences of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis, possible outcomes of NAFLD, with metabolic disorders once again shown as the most important factors.
“NAFLD is common in HIV-monoinfected patients. Metabolic disorders are key risk factors for NAFLD independent of HIV parameters and predict its complications,” comment the authors. “Our systematic review underlines the need for additional data on NAFLD in HIV infection as well as a better standardised assessment and management of the disease.”
Liver disease is now a leading cause of serious illness and death in people with HIV. Until now, much of the liver disease occurring in people living with HIV has been associated with co-infection with hepatitis B or C, but NAFLD is emerging as a new concern in the management of individuals with HIV infection who do not have hepatitis B or C co-infection.