Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a sample of Iranian adult population: Age is a risk factor

Objectives: Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is a cause of cirr-hosis. Detecting its preventable causes could be useful in decreasing the disease and its complications. This study aimed to assess the preva-lence of NASH in adult population living in Isfahan city as a sample of Iranian population. Methods: Blood samples of 2030 individuals referring to Dr. Shariati Hospital for routine health check-up were collected. All individuals with high liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or Alanine aminotransferease (ALT)] were included in the study. Known causes of altered liver enzymes were excluded. Second blood samples were obtained 6 months later and those cases with persistent enzyme elevation were surveyed with ultrasonography. Results: In the first survey, 234 individuals (11.5 %) had ALT levels of more than 40 U/L. By rechecking samples after 6 months, 50% of all high serum ALT individuals remained at high level. After conducting complementary biochemical tests, 3.3% of the population was consi-dered to have NASH; 20% of NASH cases did not have any abnormal findings in ultrasonography. Hypercholesterolemia was the most co-existing risk factor in NASH cases. We found a reverse correlation between ALT level and age (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The prevalence of NASH was comparable with other countries. According to the significantl correlation between ALT level and age, preventive interactions in younger individuals would decrease the incidence of NASH.