title: Early Glucose Derangement Detected by Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Progression of Liver Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Independent Predictive Factor?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glucose derangement has been reported to increase oxidative stress, one of the most important factors underlying the progression of hepatic fibrosis in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To date, careful evaluation of the glucose profile in pediatric NAFLD has not been performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 severely obese children (15 males; mean age 12.87 ± 2.19 years) with biopsy-proven NAFLD were enrolled in this study from September to December 2013. All patients underwent anthropometric and laboratory evaluation, including the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study reveals some differences between OGTT and CGM in detecting NAFLD children with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). OGTT showed 2 (6.67%) patients with IFG and 1 (3.34%) with IGT, while CGM showed 5 (16.67%) patients with IFG and 6 (20%) with IGT. The daily blood glucose profile positively correlated with the baseline blood glucose (r = 0.39, p = 0.04) and the homeostatic model assessment (r = 0.56, p = 0.05). A positive correlation between hyperglycemia and liver fibrosis was found (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). Mean glucose values (F3-F4 group: 163.2 ± 35.92 mg/dl vs. F1 group: 136.58 ± 46.83 mg/dl and F2 group: 154.12 ± 22.51 mg/dl) and the difference between the minimum and maximum blood glucose levels (F3-F4 group: 110.21 ± 25.26 mg/dl vs. F1 group: 91.67 ± 15.97 mg/dl and F2 group: 92 ± 15.48 mg/dl) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the F3-F4 group compared to the F1 and F2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Glucose profile derangement as detected by CGM is associated with the severity of hepatic fibrosis in children with NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Bambino Gesx00F9; Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schiaffini
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liccardo
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alisi
authors.forename: Danila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benevento
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cappa
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianfarani
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nobili
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose