title: Hepatic steatosis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and its relationship to body mass index and co-morbidities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although non-alcoholic hepatitis usually is asymptomatic and benign, this condition may progress to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Some findings are similar to alcoholic hepatitis, but there is no history of excessive alcohol consumption. Among the factors associated with non-alcoholic hepatitis, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia are the most important.
  
  
  METHODS
  77 consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery had their liver biopsy compared to the presence of co-morbidities and BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  67 patients (87.1%) had an abnormal liver biopsy, mostly due to steatosis (83.1%), but also steatohepatitis (2.6%) and cirrhosis (1.3%). The degree of liver damage was related to higher BMI scores. Co-morbidities were present in 46.9% of the patients with hepatic steatosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors suggest that a liver biopsy should be performed in all patients at bariatric surgery, in order to evaluate possible liver damage and to assist postoperative care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Gastroenterology), Centro da Obesidade Mórbida, Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil. ccmottin@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moretto
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kupski
authors.forename: Cláudio Corá
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mottin
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Repetto
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia Toneto
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rizzolli
authors.forename: Diovanne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berleze
authors.forename: Cesar Luis
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: de Souza Brito
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casagrande
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colossi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index