Impact of bariatric surgery on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - Role of non-invasive tests

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present in the majority of the patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Weight loss induced by bariatric surgery has been shown to improve clinical measurements and liver histology of NAFLD. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on NAFLD in Indian patients with severe obesity using noninvasive parameters. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). The Asia-Pacific Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Society guidelines were followed to ensure the indications for bariatric surgery. Data collected included anthropometrics, biochemical parameters, and other noninvasive parameters. Results: Fifty-four patients were included in the final analysis, with the majority being males (54.2%). The mean age was 44.77 ± 12.64 years old. One-year follow-up postsurgery demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in total weight loss and body mass index (BMI) reduction (P < 0.00001). Mean NAFLD fibrosis scores improved from −1.70 to −1.95; however, the improvement was not statistically significant (P = 0.4295). Biochemical improvement was found in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.0169) and aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.0004). Concomitantly, significant improvements in AST to Platelet Ratio Index score, BMI, AST/alanine aminotransferase ratio, diabetes score, and liver stiffness measurement on Fibroscan (8.9 ± 1.01 pka [initial] to 7.2 ± 0.40 pka [follow-up]) were observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a beneficial association of bariatric surgery in NAFLD patients. Bariatric surgery is found to induce weight loss significantly and improve liver functions as measured by noninvasive parameters. Further, long-term studies are needed to consolidate these results.