Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: an expanded clinical entity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In the past, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis has been described mostly in obese women with diabetes. The aim of this study was to describe a series of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with a different clinical profile.

METHODS

The clinical, biochemical, and histological features of 33 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis seen from July 1990 to June 1993 were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age was 47 years. All patients were antibody to hepatitis C virus-negative. Nineteen of 33 (58%) were men, 20 of 33 (61%) were nonobese, 26 of 33 (79%) had normal glucose levels, and 26 of 33 (79%) had normal lipid levels. Fourteen of 33 (42%) had normal glucose and lipid levels and were not obese. Thirteen of 33 (39%) had pathological increases in fibrosis, 5 of whom had micronodular cirrhosis. Of these 13 with severe, progressive disease, 8 (62%) were women, 8 (62%) were obese, 4 (31%) were diabetic or had an elevated glucose level, and 3 (23%) had hyperlipidemia. Although serum iron studies (transferrin saturation and ferritin) were abnormal in 18 of 31 (58%), no patient had hemochromatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can be a severe, progressive liver disease leading to the development of cirrhosis. It should no longer be considered a disease predominantly seen in obese women with diabetes.