title: Risk factors for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in cryptogenic cirrhosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In about 10% of patients with chronic liver disease, it is not possible to identify an etiologic factor. These cases are called cryptogenic cirrhosis. Currently, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is being considered as a possible etiologic factor for a significant segment of patients that presents with cryptogenic cirrhosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of risk factors for NASH in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis, in order to verify if there is a causal relationship between them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study, with evaluation of the demographic and laboratorial data of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis. They were compared with data obtained from a group with NASH and a group with alcoholic and/or hepatitis C (HCV) cirrhosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty seven patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis were evaluated, 47 with NASH and 196 with HCV and/or alcoholic cirrhosis. The mean age of patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis was 52 years, while in those with NASH it was 46.4 years (P = 0,041). The group with cryptogenic cirrhosis had 23 female and 24 male patients. Of the patients who presented with NASH, 68.1% were female. Of the patients who presented with alcoholic/HCV cirrhosis, 64.8% were male. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. In cryptogenic cirrhosis patients, the following prevalences could be observed: impaired fasting glycemia - 68.2%; obesity - 27.5%; total hypercholesterolemia - 27.9%; low HDL levels - 58.1% (women - 81%; men - 36.4%); hypertriglyceridemia - 16.3%. The results seen in cryptogenic cirrhosis patients showed statistical similarity with the results of the NASH group regarding fasting glycemia (62.8%) and male HDL levels (53.8%). The comparison with the alcoholic/HCV cirrhosis group showed statistical differences regarding fasting glycemia (45.2%), hypercholesterolemia (13.3%) and female HDL levels (50.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is not possible to establish a causal relationship between cryptogenic cirrhosis and NASH. Only data related to fasting glycemia and HDL levels in male patients showed statistical similarities between both groups of patients.
authors: Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. andrea-benevides@hotmail.com
authors: Andrea Benevides
authors: AB
authors: Leite
authors: Angelo Alves de
authors: AA
authors: Mattos
authors: Angelo Zambam de
authors: AZ
authors: Mattos
authors: Gabriela Perdomo
authors: GP
authors: Coral
authors: Sandro
authors: S
authors: Evaldt
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006519:Hepatitis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose