[Liver functional test (LFT) and ultrasound (US) usefulness in the diagnostic of non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH)].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the Liver Functional Test (LFT) and hepatic ultrasound (US) usefulness in the diagnostic of NASH.


BACKGROUND
NASH is part of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), this condition can lead to cirrhosis; it is associated with others frequents diseases in Mexico such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately the diagnosis of NASH is not easy, since it must be confirmed by an hepatic biopsy and this requisite can conditionate a subnormal register. Until now, we don't have programs oriented to detect this disease; even though several high risk populations have been identified.


METHODS
We compared the results of LFT and hepatic US often patients with NASH and ten healthy volunteers. Both groups where matched; the sensibility (S), specificity (Sp) and predictive values (PV) of each test were established. Student t test was used in the statistic analysis.


RESULTS
The tests with the most notable difference were aminotransferases (AST, ALT), indirect billirubin (IB) and the US; with S of 100% to IB and US; Sp 100% to aminotransferases; PV+ 100% to ALT and AST, and 71% to US; and PV- 100% to IB and US.


CONCLUSIONS
LFT and US are useful to detect NASH, the periodic testing of subjects with type 2 diabetes and overweight in risk of NASH is proposed as an effective tool of detection for the cases that require a subsequent study by a gastroenterologist.
Bernal-Reyes
Raúl
R
Servicio de Gastroenterología del HGZ No. 1 del IMSS en Pachuca, Hgo. raulber@yahoo.com
Bernal-Serrano
Daniel
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography