Journal article
The effect of moderate weight loss on a non-invasive biomarker of liver fibrosis: a randomised controlled trial
- Abstract:
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Background: Referral to weight loss programmes is the only effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Clinicians should advise weight loss and screen for liver fibrosis using the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score.
Aim:To examine if the ELF score changes with weight loss.
Design and Setting: Randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN85485463) in UK primary care during 2007–2008.
Method: Adults with a BMI of 27–35 kg/m2 and ≥1 risk factor for obesity-related disease were randomised to attend a community weight loss programme (n = 45) or receive usual weight loss advice from a practice nurse (n = 28). Weight and the ELF score were measured at baseline and 1 year. Analysis of covariance examined mean changes in the ELF score between groups and its relationship with weight loss.
Results: Mean (SD) BMI was 31.10 kg/m2 (2.55) with evidence of moderate levels of liver fibrosis at baseline (mean ELF score: 8.93 [0.99]). There was no evidence that the community weight loss programme reduced the ELF score compared with usual care (difference +0.13 points, 95% CI: –0.25 to 0.52) despite greater weight loss (difference: –2.66 kg, 95% CI: –5.02 to –0.30). Mean weight loss in the whole cohort was 7.8% (5.9). There was no evidence of an association between weight change and change in ELF; the coefficient for a 5% weight loss was –0.15 (95% CI: –0.30 to 0.0002).
Conclusion: We found no evidence that the ELF score changed meaningfully following moderate weight loss. Clinicians should not use the ELF score to measure improvements in NAFLD fibrosis following weight loss programmes.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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(Preview, Version of record, 395.1KB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.1159/000505667
Authors
- Publisher:
- Karger Publishers Open Access
- Journal:
- Obesity Facts More from this journal
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 2
- Pages:
- 144–151
- Publication date:
- 2020-03-20
- Acceptance date:
- 2019-12-20
- DOI:
- EISSN:
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1662-4033
- ISSN:
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1662-4025
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
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pubs:1078505
- UUID:
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uuid:0d3c0ddd-f3a7-47ba-8333-83300f6db99b
- Local pid:
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pubs:1078505
- Source identifiers:
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1078505
- Deposit date:
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2019-12-20
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Koutoukidis, DA et al.
- Copyright date:
- 2020
- Rights statement:
- © 2020 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Interna-tional License (CC BY) (http:// www.karger.com/Services/OpenAccessLicense). Usage, derivative works and distribution are permitted provided that proper credit is given to the author and the original publisher.
- Licence:
- CC Attribution (CC BY)
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