Non-alcoholic fatty liver in the lean: clinico-biochemical correlates of histopathology in 157 liver biopsies from healthy liver donors

Abstract Background Generally, imaging makes the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty disease, however, mild steatosis is difficult to diagnose by imaging. Liver biopsy is procedure of choice but not done as it is invasive procedure. We describe our experience of 157 liver biopsies in living liver donors with normal BMI Materials and methods The study was conducted at a tertiary care center in North India. Data of lean living donors who underwent a liver biopsy before donation was analyzed. Data is presented as percentage, mean (SD) or median (25-75 IQR). Results Out of 718 donors who had a liver biopsy before donation, 157 (21.8%) donors were lean (BMI 150 mg/dl as compared to 12.5% in normal histology group, p=0.009. Other metabolic risk factors were not statistically different. Conclusion One third of lean donors had non-alcoholic fatty liver. Among all metabolic risk factors, only higher triglycerides levels showed a significant association with non-alcoholic fatty liver.