Lack of budget

Fatty liver is known to be one of the most frequent liver pathologies in IBD patients (35-40%). Despite this fact, there are only few publications that evaluated the prevalence of fatty liver in IBD patients. Moreover, the pathogenesis of this phenomenon in IBD has not been widely investigated.

The paradox of lean patients and fatty liver can be explained by high use of steroids, by rapid weight loss, and by the abundance of TNFα cytokine in IBD patients that causes insulin resistance.

The aim of the study:

To evaluate the frequency of fatty liver in a cohort of IBD patients and to learn its risk factors.

Methods:

One hundred consecutive IBD patients treated at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center will be recruited.

Patients will fill up a questionnaire regarding their disease, demographic data, other co-morbidities and medications and risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Each patient will undergo blood examinations in order to assess inflammation, and metabolic status. Fatty liver will be assessed by liver ultra-sonography.

Inclusion Criteria:

• IBD patients above the age of 18 years old, suffering from the disease for at least one year.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women,
• Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis after total colectomy,
• HIV patients,
• Patients suffering from other chronic liver disease,
• Patients suffering from cancer currently or in the past, OR
• Patients suffering from any other chronic severe diseases.

One hundred consecutive IBD patients treated at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center will be recruited.