The hidden epidemic : Uncovering incidental fatty liver disease and its metabolic comorbidities by datamining in a hospital data lake – A real-world cohort study

Aims: To identify individuals with incidental fatty liver disease (FLD), and to evaluate its prevalence, metabolic co-morbidities and impact on follow-up. Methods: We leveraged the data-lake of Helsinki Uusimaa Hospital district (Finland) with a population of 1.7 million (specialist and primary care). A phrase recognition script on abdominal imaging reports (2008–2020) identified/excluded FLD or cirrhosis; we extracted ICD-codes, laboratory and BMI data. Results: Excluding those with other liver diseases, the prevalence of FLD was 29% (steatosis yes/no, N=61,271/155,521; cirrhosis, N=3502). The false positive and negative rates were 5–6%. Only 1.6% of the FLD cases had the ICD code recorded and 32% had undergone full clinical evaluation for associated co-morbidities. Of the 35–65-year-old individuals with FLD, 20% had diabetes, 42% prediabetes and 28% a high liver fibrosis index. FLD was independently predicted by diabetes (OR 1.56, CI 1.46–1.66, p = 2.3 * 10^-41), BMI (1.46, 1.42–1.50, p = 1.7 * 10^-154) and plasma triglyceride level (1.5, 1.43–1.57, p = 3.5 * 10^-68). Alanine aminotransferase level mildly increased (1.12, 1.08–1.16, p = 2.2 * 10^-9) and high age decreased the risk (0.92, 0.89–0.94, p = 4.65*10^-09). Half of the cases had normal ALT. Conclusions: The incidental radiological finding of FLD is reliable and associated with metabolic risks but largely ignored, although it should lead to metabolic and hepatic follow-up.

Kurki, Samu H.Helsinki University Central Hospital (author)
Parviainen, Helka I.Helsinki University Central Hospital (author)
Kullamaa, LiisaHelsinki University Central Hospital (author)
Färkkilä, Martti A.Helsinki University Central Hospital (author)
Matikainen, NiinaHelsinki University Central Hospital,University of Helsinki (author)
Tuomi, TiinamaijaLund University,Lunds universitet,Diabetiska komplikationer,Forskargrupper vid Lunds universitet,Diabetic Complications,Lund University Research Groups,University of Helsinki,Helsinki University Central Hospital,Folkhälsan Research Center(Swepub:lu)ti8736tu (author)
Helsinki University Central HospitalUniversity of Helsinki (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Karhiaho, Iiro P ...; Kurki, Samu H.; Parviainen, Helk ...; Kullamaa, Liisa; Färkkilä, Martti ...; Matikainen, Niin ...; show more...; Tuomi, Tiinamaij ...; show less...

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MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Clinical Medicin ...; and Endocrinology an ...

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