Patient Determinants for Histologic Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Real World: A TARGET-NASH Study, aimed to determine patient characteristics that are predictive of having a diagnosis by biopsy versus a diagnosis using clinical criteria.
Analyzing 3,474 participants with NAFLD from August 2016 to March 2019, the study found 67% had not had a liver biopsy.
Analyzing 3,474 adult participants with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) managed in usual clinical practice from August 2016 to March 2019, the study found 67% of the cohort had not had a liver biopsy. Predictive factors of having a diagnosis by biopsy included White race, female sex, diabetes, and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Overall, median age was 59 years, 59% were female, 75% White, and 66% obese. The most common comorbid conditions included cardiovascular disease (19%), osteoarthritis (10%), and mental health diagnoses or depression (49%). Of note, patients who had progressed to cirrhosis caused by NAFLD were 1.67 times more likely to be depressed than patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, a less severe form of NAFLD.