An increased risk of serious infection in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

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Risk of serious infection

In their paper, the researchers built their findings on previous experimental studies that indicated that NAFLD is associated with reduced function of many immune cells, which in turn can lead to increased susceptibility to infection.

The liver plays an important role in the human immune system with immune cells, such as macrophages (Kupffer cells) and lymphocytes, which make up up to 20% of all liver cells, adds Dr. Abrahamic. We were surprised to see an increased risk of serious infections even in people with relatively mild fatty liver disease, meaning people without signs of inflammation or cirrhosis. But at the same time, the risk of infection was higher among patients with long-term NADLD, such as people with cirrhosis.

For every 6 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who were followed for 20 years, we saw a very serious infection that we did not see in people without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD before patients develop cirrhosis, say the corresponding authors. Jonas F Ludwigsonpediatrician at Orebro University Hospital, professor at Department of Medical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsKarolinska Institutet.

says dr. Abrahamic. Based on our findings, infection prevention should become one of the most important health interventions for addressing NAFLD-related morbidities.

Dr. Ebrahimi’s study was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (P500PM_210866).

Publishing

Risk of severe infection in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease–a population-based cohort study.
Ibrahimi F, Simon TG, Hagström H, Soderling C, Wester A, Roelstreet B, Ludvigson JF
Clen Gastronerol Hepatol 2023 May; ():