Feasibility of Liver Fibro Scan in Assessing Early Hepatic Affection In Patients With OSA

Abstract

Background

OSA has an overall prevalence of 2-4 %t with an approximate incidence of 14 percent in males and 5 percent in females aged (30-70) years [1].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with OSA, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with OSA. [2].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the reality of elastogram in evaluating early hepatic changes in patients with OSA and also its relationship with the severity of OSA.

Results This study included seventy (70) participants, 25 healthy volunteers as a control group, 45 OSA patients (6 mild, 14 moderate, and 25 severe). In our study, there was no substantial difference between OSA patients and healthy control subjects regarding serum levels of ALT and AST. In OSA patients with different severity, AST and ALT levels were also not substantially different.

Our study revealed that evaluating  liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by fibro scan showed statistically significant increase among patients with OSA compared with control (obese) healthy subjects.We found that LSM increased with increase severity of OSA. At cutoff point >1.46cm.sec, LSM has 68% sensitivity & 80% specificity in detecting severe OSA. In the present study; we found positive correlation between LSM and AHI in the studied OSA patients.

According to Metavir score in staging of liver fibrosis; in our study liver fibrosis is more among OSA patients than control obese. We found that 62.2% of the OSA patients had mild – moderate fibrosis, while; 31.1% of them had normal – mild fibrosis, and 6.7% had normal liver.

Conclusion:

Even in the presence of normal liver enzymes, liver affection is common in OSA patients and can be evaluated by liver stiffness measurement using fibro-scan.