Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognised as the hepatic complication of the metabolic syndrome of insulin resistance. In some patients, the disease can progress into steatohepatitis (NASH) which associates fatty liver, hepatocellular damage, chronic inflammation and variable and progressive fibrosis. The latter can evolve into cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.
Thus the presence of fibrosis sign the severity of the disease, and therefore its accurate detection is crucial for the identification of patients in need of treatment and appropriate follow-up.
To date, histological examination of a biopsy of the liver is the gold standard in the diagnosis of fibrosis. the procedure is however associated with significant complication in 0.01 to 0.1% of cases and with sampling errors because it analyses only a minimal portion fo the liver.
The aim of the study is to evaluate, in a population of patients with the metabolic syndrome, whether non-invasive tests may identify those with hepatic fibrosis.
At inclusion, serum tests, fibroscan (elastography of the liver by ultra-sounds) and elastography by MRI will be performed. Those tests will be repeated within 2 months.
A liver biopsy will be performed if 2 out of the 3 (serum test, fibroscan or elastography) tests are suggestive of hepatic fibrosis.
This study will allow to determine
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
horsmans@gaen.ucl.ac.be32 2 764 28 37
vanbeers@rdgn.ucl.ac.be32 2 764 29 45