Comparative Study between Pentoxifylline and Pioglitazone in the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Newly Detected Glucose Intolerant Patients.

ABSTRACT

This quasi experimental study was carried out to compare the efficacy of Pentoxifylline versus Pioglitazone in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among newly detected glucose intolerant patients attended at GHPD, BIRDEM, Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 2011 to May 2012. Sixty patients with newly detected abnormal glucose tolerance, naive to any antidiabetic drugs were randomly selected, with the findings of USG changes of fatty liver and raised ALT. Patients were divided into Group A (51.7%; mean age - 44.45±7.34 years, BMI - 26.76±3.65kg/m(2)) receiving Pioglitazone 30mg/day and Group B (48.3%; mean age - 43.97±10.13 years, BMI - 27.52±4.44kg/m(2)) receiving Pentoxifylline 1200mg/day along with dietary and lifestyle modification. Baseline, follow up 1 & follow up 2 Serum AST in Group A (66.58±40.78U/L, 45.00±19.43U/L and 33.25±9.92U/L) respectively and in Group B (54.13±20.11U/L, 38.31±12.90U/L and 30.62±9.63U/L) respectively. Serum ALT in Group A (113.48±61.38U/L, 61.16±19.45U/L and 42.45±13.84U/L) respectively & in Group B (99.13±37.95U/L, 50.27±15.95U/L and 37.24±9.51U/L) respectively. No patient with normal USG finding was included in the study. Baseline USG finding: Grade I - Group A (35.5%), Group B (27.6%); Grade II - Group A (54.8%), Group B (48.3%); Grade III - Group A (9.7%), Group B (24.1%). Final Follow up Normal - Group A (16.1%), Group B (10.3%); Grade I - Group A (38.7%), Group B (34.5%); Grade II - Group A (41.9%), Group B (44.8%); Grade III - Group A (3.2%), Group B (10.3%). Within groups findings were statistically significant (P<0.001) but between groups not significant (P>0.001). Biochemical and USG grading were improved in follow ups in both the groups. Such findings were observed due to synergistic effect of both therapeutic intervention along with supplementary dietary and lifestyle modification. Both Pioglitazone and Pentoxifylline have similar therapeutic outcome combined with supplementary dietary and lifestyle modification.