Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the IGF-1 levels, metabolic and clinical
parameters among the ultrasonographically classified non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) groups and determine the factors that may predict the NAFLD
severity in patients with morbid obesity. This study was conducted on 316
morbidly obese patients (250 F/66 M). The data of
patients before and 1st-year after bariatric surgery were recorded. According to
the ultrasonographically NAFLD screening, patients with normal hepatic features
were classified as Group 1(n=57), with mild and moderate NAFLD were
classified as Group 2(n=219), and with severe NAFLD were classified as
Group 3(n=40). IGF-1 standard deviation scores (SDSIGF1) were calculated
according to age and gender. Parameters that could predict the presence and
severity of NAFLD were evaluated. IGF-1 levels were significantly associated
with Group 3 than Group 1(p=0.037), and the significance remained
between the same groups when IGF-1 levels were standardized as
SDSIGF1(p=0.036). Decreased levels of SDSIGF1 explained 5% of
severe NAFLD than the normal group (p=0.036). Liver Diameter, FPG, ALT,
AST, and GGT were also found as significant predictors for severe NAFLD. There
were significant differences between pre-and postop values in all groups
(p<0.001). This study showed that IGF-1 might be considered a sgnificant
predictor of severe NAFLD in morbidly obese patients. It is crucial in clinical
practice to determine predictive factors of NAFLD that could support the
diagnosis accompanied by non-invasive imaging methods.