الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the fastest growing cause of chronic liver disease, with a 25% worldwide prevalence. Low serum level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is strongly associated with components of the metabolic syndrome and NAFLD, with a possible role in pathogenesis. Key words: NAFLD, SHBG, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD fibrosis score. Aim of the work: to investigate the relationship between SHBG and the degree of liver fibrosis in female subjects with NAFLD. Methods: The study included 60 consecutive female patients with NAFLD and 30 age-matched female healthy subjects. Components of the metabolic syndrome according to ATP III, NAFLD fibrosis score and SHBG level were done to all subjects.Results: SHBG was found to have a significant positive correlation with the NAFLD fibrosis score. It was found to be an efficient positive predictor of severe fibrosis in female NAFLD patients at a cut-off level > 10 ng/ml, with a high specificity and modest sensitivity. Conclusions: SHBG levels increase with liver fibrosis in female patients with NAFLD. SHBG is a potential non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis in such patients |