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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Individuals with HIV Mono-infection: A Growing Concern?

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Liver disease is a leading cause of non-AIDS-related death in the HIV population since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Recent studies suggest that patients with HIV are at high risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and progressive liver fibrosis. Evidence for the prevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic methodologies of NAFLD in patients with HIV mono-infection is summarized here.

Recent Findings

Although limited, published studies suggest that the prevalence of NAFLD is higher (30–50%) and progresses at an increased rate in patients with HIV compared to the general population. Identifying those at risk for significant liver fibrosis is critical, preferably with non-invasive screening tests. While there is a paucity of evidence in this population, transient elastography (TE) appears to provide a sensitive, non-invasive screening modality.

Summary

Identifying NAFLD early will allow for dietary and lifestyle interventions, as well as future drug therapies to decrease the risk of progressive liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in the high-risk HIV population. Clinicians should be aware of this risk and consider using TE for NAFLD diagnosis and surveillance.

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Author notes

  1. Margaret Morrison and Heather Y. Hughes contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Margaret Morrison

  2. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, SC, USA

    Heather Y. Hughes

  3. Divison of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Heather Y. Hughes

  4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Susanna Naggie

  5. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Durham VAMC, Durham, NC, USA

    Susanna Naggie

  6. Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, SC, USA

    Wing-Kin Syn

  7. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Wing-Kin Syn

  8. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain

    Wing-Kin Syn

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  1. Margaret Morrison
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  2. Heather Y. Hughes
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Correspondence to Wing-Kin Syn.

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Morrison, M., Hughes, H.Y., Naggie, S. et al. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Individuals with HIV Mono-infection: A Growing Concern?. Dig Dis Sci 64, 3394–3401 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-019-05861-7

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