Using controlled attenuation parameter combined with ultrasound to survey non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in hemodialysis patients: A prospective cohort study

Background and aimsControlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is a non-invasive method for measuring hepatic steatosis (HS). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD in hemodialysis patients.MethodWe prospectively enrolled patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, as well as patients with normal renal function who served as controls. The control group patients were referred by an endocrinologist to be tested for NAFLD; most of these patients had diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. We excluded those with excess alcohol intake, use of drugs known to induce HS, chronic viral hepatitis, or CAP failure. CAP ≥ 238 dB/m was used as a cutoff suggesting HS. An increased liver kidney contrast, as defined by ultrasound, was used to make the diagnosis of HS.ResultsThree hundred and forty-three hemodialysis patients and 252 control group patients were enrolled. Among the hemodialysis patients, 192 (56.0%) had CAP- or ultrasound-identified HS compared with 91 (26.5%) who only had ultrasound-identified HS (PConclusionsThe prevalence of NAFLD in the hemodialysis patients was 56%. The number of diagnoses of NAFLD made by using CAP combined with ultrasound was more than 2 times the number made with ultrasound alone in the hemodialysis patients. Therefore, we suggest the use of CAP combined with ultrasound to screen for NAFLD in hemodialysis patients.