Clinical significance of hepatic fat loss in chronic liver disease: a study using MRI proton density fat fractionation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The liver plays a central role in the fatty acid metabolism. Therefore, cirrhosis is prone to energy malnutrition and is associated with a poor prognosis. On the other hand, proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive and highly accurate method to quantify liver fat. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between hepatic fat loss (HFL) and malnutrition by PDFF measurement in chronic liver disease (CLD).

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center study of 485 patients with CLD, hepatic fat content was measured by MRI-PDFF, and CT-measured body composition and CONUT (Controlling Nutritional Status) score were used as nutritional assessment methods, respectively.

RESULTS

In the overall cohort, MRI-PDFF was positively correlated with body fat mass, muscle mass and respectively. The HFL defined by PDFF ≤ 2.7% is 25%, and in multivariate analysis, decreased body fat mass and Triglyceride, and increased CONUT score were independent associated factors of HFL (p < 0.05, for all). Additionally, 35% of patients with cirrhosis (n = 107) had HFL, and the Cox proportional hazards model showed that Child-Pugh score and HFL were independent prognostic factors (p < 0.01, for both).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI-PDFF was shown to be a useful indicator of malnutrition in cirrhosis reflecting body composition. Preservation of liver fat content in nutritional therapy may improve the prognosis of cirrhotic patients.