Obesity Epidemic Invades the Liver

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

PRI-MED WEST: Obesity Epidemic Invades the Liver

By a Friedman

ANAHEIM, CA -- May 14, 2004 -- Cases of enlarged, fatty livers are appearing

increasingly on ultrasound investigations. Combined with the findings of

altered enzymes, a biopsy is increasingly a matter to consider for patients

who are abusing food, not alcohol.

Primary care providers were introduced to the concept and care of

nonalcoholic liver damage in a presentation made here on May 13th at the

Annual Pri-Med West Conference and Exhibition, by Sanjiv Chopra, MD,

professor of medicine at Harvard. Dr. Chopra said, even in patients with

normal liver enzyme levels, peripheral signs of organ complications -- such

as spider nevi or a palpable spleen tip -- are indications that " we should

investigate further. "

Dr. Chopra warned that the early signs of cirrhosis are not visible on

ultrasound, and that radiologists need to know this as they interpret tests.

" It is important to have this dialogue with your radiologists, " Dr. Chopra

noted.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now the most common liver disorder in

the United States, Dr. Chopra said. The condition is marked by inflammatory

hepatocyte degeneration. Progression to cirrhosis occurs in 15% to 20% of

patients with NASH, he said. It is difficult to identify, however, because

it is not accompanied by outward symptoms other than fatigue or right upper

quadrant discomfort. In addition, he said, NASH is now beginning to be found

among children.

Causes of the disorder other than overeating -- such as viral hepatitis or

the rare 's disease -- must be ruled out, Dr. Chopra said. Also, some

drugs can produce this kind of liver damage.

In patients who are diagnosed with NASH, physicians should watch for varices

and prescribe prophylactic beta-blockers to prevent hemorrhage. Ten-year

survival of patients with NASH is 60%, compared to 20% for patients with

alcoholic hepatitis.

Patients with NASH usually have it as part of syndrome X, Dr. Chopra said,

but, he added, " they are also dying of hypertension, coronary heart disease,

and other complications " of that syndrome.

[Presentation Title: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Burgeoning

Epidemic.]

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

PRI-MED WEST: Obesity Epidemic Invades the Liver

By a Friedman

ANAHEIM, CA -- May 14, 2004 -- Cases of enlarged, fatty livers are appearing

increasingly on ultrasound investigations. Combined with the findings of

altered enzymes, a biopsy is increasingly a matter to consider for patients

who are abusing food, not alcohol.

Primary care providers were introduced to the concept and care of

nonalcoholic liver damage in a presentation made here on May 13th at the

Annual Pri-Med West Conference and Exhibition, by Sanjiv Chopra, MD,

professor of medicine at Harvard. Dr. Chopra said, even in patients with

normal liver enzyme levels, peripheral signs of organ complications -- such

as spider nevi or a palpable spleen tip -- are indications that " we should

investigate further. "

Dr. Chopra warned that the early signs of cirrhosis are not visible on

ultrasound, and that radiologists need to know this as they interpret tests.

" It is important to have this dialogue with your radiologists, " Dr. Chopra

noted.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now the most common liver disorder in

the United States, Dr. Chopra said. The condition is marked by inflammatory

hepatocyte degeneration. Progression to cirrhosis occurs in 15% to 20% of

patients with NASH, he said. It is difficult to identify, however, because

it is not accompanied by outward symptoms other than fatigue or right upper

quadrant discomfort. In addition, he said, NASH is now beginning to be found

among children.

Causes of the disorder other than overeating -- such as viral hepatitis or

the rare 's disease -- must be ruled out, Dr. Chopra said. Also, some

drugs can produce this kind of liver damage.

In patients who are diagnosed with NASH, physicians should watch for varices

and prescribe prophylactic beta-blockers to prevent hemorrhage. Ten-year

survival of patients with NASH is 60%, compared to 20% for patients with

alcoholic hepatitis.

Patients with NASH usually have it as part of syndrome X, Dr. Chopra said,

but, he added, " they are also dying of hypertension, coronary heart disease,

and other complications " of that syndrome.

[Presentation Title: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Burgeoning

Epidemic.]

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

PRI-MED WEST: Obesity Epidemic Invades the Liver

By a Friedman

ANAHEIM, CA -- May 14, 2004 -- Cases of enlarged, fatty livers are appearing

increasingly on ultrasound investigations. Combined with the findings of

altered enzymes, a biopsy is increasingly a matter to consider for patients

who are abusing food, not alcohol.

Primary care providers were introduced to the concept and care of

nonalcoholic liver damage in a presentation made here on May 13th at the

Annual Pri-Med West Conference and Exhibition, by Sanjiv Chopra, MD,

professor of medicine at Harvard. Dr. Chopra said, even in patients with

normal liver enzyme levels, peripheral signs of organ complications -- such

as spider nevi or a palpable spleen tip -- are indications that " we should

investigate further. "

Dr. Chopra warned that the early signs of cirrhosis are not visible on

ultrasound, and that radiologists need to know this as they interpret tests.

" It is important to have this dialogue with your radiologists, " Dr. Chopra

noted.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now the most common liver disorder in

the United States, Dr. Chopra said. The condition is marked by inflammatory

hepatocyte degeneration. Progression to cirrhosis occurs in 15% to 20% of

patients with NASH, he said. It is difficult to identify, however, because

it is not accompanied by outward symptoms other than fatigue or right upper

quadrant discomfort. In addition, he said, NASH is now beginning to be found

among children.

Causes of the disorder other than overeating -- such as viral hepatitis or

the rare 's disease -- must be ruled out, Dr. Chopra said. Also, some

drugs can produce this kind of liver damage.

In patients who are diagnosed with NASH, physicians should watch for varices

and prescribe prophylactic beta-blockers to prevent hemorrhage. Ten-year

survival of patients with NASH is 60%, compared to 20% for patients with

alcoholic hepatitis.

Patients with NASH usually have it as part of syndrome X, Dr. Chopra said,

but, he added, " they are also dying of hypertension, coronary heart disease,

and other complications " of that syndrome.

[Presentation Title: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Burgeoning

Epidemic.]

[Guest guest]

DGDispatch

PRI-MED WEST: Obesity Epidemic Invades the Liver

By a Friedman

ANAHEIM, CA -- May 14, 2004 -- Cases of enlarged, fatty livers are appearing

increasingly on ultrasound investigations. Combined with the findings of

altered enzymes, a biopsy is increasingly a matter to consider for patients

who are abusing food, not alcohol.

Primary care providers were introduced to the concept and care of

nonalcoholic liver damage in a presentation made here on May 13th at the

Annual Pri-Med West Conference and Exhibition, by Sanjiv Chopra, MD,

professor of medicine at Harvard. Dr. Chopra said, even in patients with

normal liver enzyme levels, peripheral signs of organ complications -- such

as spider nevi or a palpable spleen tip -- are indications that " we should

investigate further. "

Dr. Chopra warned that the early signs of cirrhosis are not visible on

ultrasound, and that radiologists need to know this as they interpret tests.

" It is important to have this dialogue with your radiologists, " Dr. Chopra

noted.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now the most common liver disorder in

the United States, Dr. Chopra said. The condition is marked by inflammatory

hepatocyte degeneration. Progression to cirrhosis occurs in 15% to 20% of

patients with NASH, he said. It is difficult to identify, however, because

it is not accompanied by outward symptoms other than fatigue or right upper

quadrant discomfort. In addition, he said, NASH is now beginning to be found

among children.

Causes of the disorder other than overeating -- such as viral hepatitis or

the rare 's disease -- must be ruled out, Dr. Chopra said. Also, some

drugs can produce this kind of liver damage.

In patients who are diagnosed with NASH, physicians should watch for varices

and prescribe prophylactic beta-blockers to prevent hemorrhage. Ten-year

survival of patients with NASH is 60%, compared to 20% for patients with

alcoholic hepatitis.

Patients with NASH usually have it as part of syndrome X, Dr. Chopra said,

but, he added, " they are also dying of hypertension, coronary heart disease,

and other complications " of that syndrome.

[Presentation Title: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Burgeoning

Epidemic.]