Prevalence of non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Factors in Patients with Moderate or Severe Hemophilia: A Multicenter-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION

Liver health is essential for persons with hemophilia (PWH) in order to maintain access to new therapies, such as gene therapy. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is seldom reported in the hemophilia population. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD and associated factors in PWH.

METHODS

Data of this cross-sectional study were obtained from a multicenter collaborative registry database.

RESULTS

A total of 163 moderate or severe PWH with a complete data of liver examination were analyzed. There were 77 (47.2%) PWH diagnosed with NAFLD. The multivariate analysis showed that overweight/obesity was associated with NAFLD (OR, 4.31, P < .001). In comparison with hemophilia B patients, hemophilia A patients showed a weaker correlation with NAFLD, (OR, 0.30, P = .009). A total of 17 (25.8%) PWH with NAFLD had an elevated level of alanine transaminase (ALT). Both overweight/obesity and presence of inhibitor to clotting factor were independently associated with elevated ALT in PWH with NAFLD.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that a high prevalence of NAFLD existed in the hemophilia population. Overweight/obesity was an independent factor for NAFLD and elevated ALT.