title: Computed Tomography Measurement of Hepatic Steatosis: Prevalence of Hepatic Steatosis in a Canadian Population.
abstract: Background/Aims. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This retrospective chart review investigated the incidence of hepatic steatosis in London, Ontario, Canada. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed on emergency room (ER) patients undergoing nonscheduled computed tomography (CT) imaging over a six-month period in London, Ontario. CT images and reports were examined to determine presence of steatosis. Analyses of the electronic chart for a period of six months following the CT and communication with the patients' family doctors were used to determine if there was follow-up. Waist circumference, subcutaneous fat depth, and abdominal fat volumes were calculated. Results. 48/450 patients meeting inclusion criteria were identified by radiology as having steatosis, with 34/40 (85%) family physicians unaware of the finding. 24.7% (100/405) of patients met standard CT criteria for steatosis, 40 of which were reported by the radiologist. Waist circumference, subcutaneous adipose tissue depth, subcutaneous adipose tissue volume, and visceral adipose tissue volume were significantly associated with steatosis. Conclusions. The hepatic steatosis prevalence we report is the first reported in a Canadian population. Early identification of steatosis will become more important as new pharmacologic therapies arise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Care and Endoscopy, Dalhousie University, Victoria General Hospital, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 2Y9.
authors.forename: Malcolm M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.affiliation: Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1465 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada N6G 2M1.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street N., London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Addeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street N., London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1; Department of Medical Imaging, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, London, ON, Canada N6A 5W9.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, London, ON, Canada N6A 5W9.
authors.forename: Amol
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mujoomdar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada N6A 5A5.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beaton
authors.affiliation: Central Alberta Medical Imaging Services Ltd., 4312 54 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4N 4M1; Department of Medical Imaging, Red Deer Regional Hospital, 3942 50a Avenue, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4N 4E7.
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bird
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult