Rizvana Ahmad MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nadeem Ahmad Qazi MBBS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

John Morlese MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael King MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Graeme Moyle MBBS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess ultrasound appearance of fatty liver and to define positive correlation, if any with biochemical markers of hyperlipidaemia

10 HIV-1 infected patients with histological evidence of lipoatrophy as assessed by fat biopsy were compared with 10 age matched HIV-1 infected patients with no evidence of lipoatrophy. A control group consisted of 10 age matched uninfected healthy volunteers. All participants underwent liver ultrasound by a single consultant radiologist who was blinded to the subject’s clinical details. All subjects also had a subcutaneous tissue biopsy for light microscopy to look for lipoatrophy, fasting serum lipid profiles, an oral glucose tolerance test, hepatitis B&C serology, and body mass index calculation.

The mean serum triglyceride was 1.98mmol/L (SD 0.57) in the lipoatrophic group compared with 1.36mmol/L (SD 0.57 in the non-lipoatrophic group [pThe serum triglyceride level in the lipoatrophic group correlated positively with ultrasound evidence of fatty liver. These changes were characteristically absent in the non-lipoatrophic and the uninfected control group.These data are consistent with other studies that show positive correlation of fatty liver with raised serum triglyceride levels. Associated risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis were excluded in this study.

Liver ultrasound is a sensitive method of detecting fatty liver changes. In patients with fatty liver detected on ultrasound there is a positive correlation with an elevated fasting serum triglyceridaemia.

Ahmad, R, Qazi, N, Morlese, J, King, M, Moyle, G, Ultrasound Appearances of Fatty Liver Closely Correlate with Elevated Serum Triglyceride Levels in HIV-1 Seropositive Patients with Histological Evidence of Lipoatrophy.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4410123.html