Low-Normal Thyroid Function Is Not Associated with Either Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: The association of low-normal thyroid function (LNTF) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is controversial; thus, the aim of this study is to determine this association. METHODS: NAFLD was evaluated by controlled attenuation parameter of transient elastography. Patients were classified by MAFLD criteria. LNTF was defined as TSH levels of 2.5 to 4.5 mIU/L and were divided into three different cut-off points (>4.5 to 5.0, >3.1, and >2.5 mIU/L). Associations between LNTF, NAFLD, and MAFLD were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 3697 patients were included; 59% (n = 2179) were male, and median age and body mass index were 48 (43-55) years and 25.9 (23.6-28.5) kg/m2, respectively, and 44% (n = 1632) were diagnosed with NAFLD. THS levels of 2.5 and 3.1 showed significant associations with the presence of NAFLD and MAFLD; however, LNTF did not show an independent association with the presence of NAFLD or MAFLD in multivariate analysis. According to different cut-off points, patients with LNTF presented similar risks for NAFLD as the general population. CONCLUSION: LNTF is not associated with NAFLD or MAFLD. Patients with high LNTF are equally at risk for NAFLD as the general population.

Bariatric endoscopic-surgical therapies for NAFLD. Should they be considered viable options among current treatments?

Nowadays, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the first causes of liver transplant worldwide; many efforts have been done to find the perfect drug for this multifactorial disease. Presently we just have a few drugs that could be used in specific and limited clinical scenarios. Current evidence suggests that bariatric endoscopic and surgical therapies could be strategies with optimal outcomes, with high impact in quality of life, decrease of cardiovascular risk, and improvement in metabolic profile, despite being considered expensive procedures. This review proposes to consider these therapies early together with liver fibrosis evaluation, with long term cost-effectiveness benefits in the absence of response to lifestyle modifications and pharmacological treatments.