title: Short-term multidisciplinary non-pharmacological intervention is effective in reducing liver fat content assessed non-invasively in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis in patients with alcohol intake less than 20 g/day, and is usually associated with insulin resistance (IR).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Given that no drugs are specifically approved for NAFLD, we tested the efficacy of a non-pharmacological multidisciplinary intervention based on a personalized diet, physical activity and behavior therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open non-randomized study, personalized diet, physical exercise and behaviour therapy for 3 months were prescribed in 12 consecutive patients with NAFLD. Lifestyle, including total caloric intake, physical activity and resting energy expenditure was monitored by a SenseWear Armband. Insulin Resistance (IR) was measured by HOMA and oral glucose insulin sensitivity tests (OGIS); fat liver content was estimated by two different semi-quantitative scores and by the Doppler Power Index (DPI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data show that the multidisciplinary intervention produced a significant reduction of total caloric intake, a 8% reduction in body weight, a modest increase in daily physical activity, a significant (P<0.001) reduction of aminotransferases and a decrease of total hepatic fat content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 3-month multidisciplinary intervention inducing at least 8% of weight loss, improves liver tests and decreases liver fat content.
authors.affiliation: Liver Centre, Ramazzini Hospital Carpi, Azienda USL Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scaglioni
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ciccia
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busacchi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loria
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lonardo
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malavolti
authors.forename: Nino Carlo
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Battistini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carubbi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellentani
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013997:Time Factors