Clinical Significance and Risk Factors of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases After Whipple Procedure.

INTRODUCTION

The etiology and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and outcomes of NAFLD after PD (PD-NAFLD).

METHODS

Patients who underwent PD at our institution between June 2019 and September 2021 were enrolled in the study. The clinical manifestations and outcomes of the patients with PD-NAFLD were evaluated. Multivariable analysis was used to identify risk factors for PD-NAFLD.

RESULTS

Of the 407 patients enrolled, PD-NAFLD was identified in 54 (13.2%). The median time of onset of PD-NAFLD was 72.5 (51.5-171.25) d postoperatively. Twenty-four patients (44.4%) recovered completely within 36 mo postoperatively. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 147 malignant cases, and patients with PD-NAFLD encountered delay or discontinuation of chemotherapy more frequently than those without PD-NAFLD (55.9% versus 30.1%, P = 0.006). Multivariable analysis identified female sex, high body mass index, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy as independent risk factors for PD-NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONS

PD-NAFLD is a common complication of PD. Female sex, high body mass index, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be associated with the development of PD-NAFLD. PD-NAFLD may interrupt the delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with malignant tumors.