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Lookup NU author(s): Dr James FrithORCiD, Professor Chris Day, Elsbeth Henderson, Professor Alastair BurtORCiD, Emerita Professor Julia Newton
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Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is principally a disease of middle and old age. Previous studies reported it to be benign in old age, however more recent studies suggest an increased mortality in the >60-year-olds. Objectives: To define the prevalence of risk factors and the laboratory and histological differences between different age groups with NAFLD, in order to confirm/refute findings in previous smaller studies. Methods: Retrospective, cohort study set in a tertiary liver clinic in the UK. 351 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were divided into an older (>= 60), a middle-aged (>= 50 to <60) and a younger (<50) group. Blood pressure, body mass index, serum lipids, glucose, HbA1C, albumin, liver enzymes, bilirubin, mean cell volume (MCV), platelets, and insulin resistance were recorded. In addition, liver biopsy was analyzed for steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Results: Older patients had significantly more risk factors (hypertension, obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia). Albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ALT/aspartate aminotransferase ratio and platelets significantly reduced with advancing age. MCV and alkaline phosphatase significantly increased with increasing age. Older patients had significantly greater fibrosis on biopsy with less percentage fat, with the cirrhotic patients being significantly older than non-cirrhotics. Insulin resistance was similar in younger and older groups. Conclusion: NAFLD affects mainly the middle-aged and the elderly. With advancing age come more risk factors for its development. Older patients show more severe biochemical, haematological and histological changes, with cirrhotics having a significantly greater age than those with milder disease. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
Author(s): Frith J, Day CP, Henderson E, Burt AD, Newton JL
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Gerontology
Year: 2009
Volume: 55
Issue: 6
Pages: 607-613
Print publication date: 01/01/2009
ISSN (print): 0304-324X
ISSN (electronic): 1423-0003
Publisher: S. Karger AG
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000235677
DOI: 10.1159/000235677
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