Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · May 2014
Serum immunoglobulin levels predict fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A third of the population are estimated to have NAFLD of varying severity. Serum immunoglobulins are frequently elevated in patients with chronic liver disease, but little is known about serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with NAFLD. Aim of this study was to evaluate serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in a large cohort of patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and determine if immunoglobulin levels are associated with clinical or histological features. ⋯ The serum IgA level was frequently elevated in patients with NAFLD and was an independent predictor of advanced fibrosis.
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Journal of hepatology · May 2014
Development of new fatty liver, or resolution of existing fatty liver, over five years of follow-up, and risk of incident hypertension.
Approximately 50% of hypertensive patients have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but whether change in fatty liver status over time modifies risk of developing hypertension is uncertain. Our aim was to determine whether a change in fatty liver status (either development of new fatty liver, or resolution of existing fatty liver) over five years modified risk of incident hypertension at five year follow-up. ⋯ Development of incident fatty liver is associated with increased risk of hypertension.