NASH: Non-invasive Diagnostic Markers and Imaging
NASH: Non-invasive Diagnostic Markers and Imaging
Rationale:

 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most widespread liver disorder in Western
 society (prevalence 20-30%). It is strongly associated with overweight and obesity. The
 majority of patients have simple steatosis. However, in about 15-30% of the subjects, a
 chronic inflammatory state develops that is referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
 (NASH), which leads to an overall increase in morbidity and mortality due to the progression
 to fibrosis, cirrhosis and in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The term NAFLD
 comprises both simple steatosis and NASH. Most patients with NAFLD have no or few, mainly
 aspecific symptoms; and generally there is a silent progression of simple steatosis to NASH
 and in the end, liver-related morbidity and mortality.

 To date, liver biopsy is the most sensitive test for detecting and staging NAFLD, and is the
 only reliable method for differentiating between NASH and simple steatosis. However, the
 procedure of obtaining a liver biopsy is invasive and associated with patient discomfort,
 significant complications and high costs. In addition, liver biopsy is prone to sampling
 error and inter- and intra-observer variability, due to the small size of liver biopsy
 samples. This method is therefore not suitable for screening large numbers of subjects at
 risk, or for follow-up of patients with NASH over time. Hence, only subjects at high risk
 (usually based upon elevated aminotransferase levels, which is not specific for the presence
 of NASH) are biopsied, leading to an underestimation of NASH prevalence and undertreatment.
 Further insight into disease mechanisms and risk factors for NAFLD and in particular NASH is
 warranted, to enable early diagnosis, adequate therapy and preventive measures to improve
 health status of these individuals. Accurate and less invasive methods to evaluate NASH, and
 NAFLD, are urgently needed.

 Objective: The primary objective of this study is to establish non-invasive tools (e.g.
 biomarkers and imaging) to accurately diagnose patients with NASH. The secondary objective is
 to show an association between the levels of identified markers and disease severity.

 Study design:

 Eligible subjects will be included via the outpatient clinics Zuyderland in Heerlen, the
 Catharina hospital in Eindhoven and MUMC+ in Maastricht. A subset of eligible subjects has
 undergone a liver biopsy for clinical reasons. It is estimated that about 85% of subjects
 will be asked to undergo a biopsy for study purposes only. Liver biopsies for study purposes
 will be performed during a surgical procedure, e.g. bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy.

 Blood, faeces and exhaled air will be collected and a FibroScan (+CAP) will be performed
 during a study visit. An MRI will be performed, to estimate the degree of steatosis.
 Furthermore, anthropometric data (weight, height, abdominal and waist circumference and blood
 pressure (BP)) will be collected.

 The participants in the group undergoing liver biopsy during bariatric surgery will be asked
 permission to be approached for follow-up measurements 3 months post-surgery. As they will
 lose weight, which is associated with improvement of hepatic steatosis, this enables
 assessment of possible changes over time. A routine follow-up visit post-surgery will take
 place after 3 months. The follow-up measurements will be combined with this visit, minimizing
 the burden for the participant. The measurements will consist of blood, faeces and exhaled
 air collection and a FibroScan (+CAP) will be performed during a study visit. Furthermore,
 weight, height, BP and abdominal and waist circumference will be measured.

 Study population:

 Subjects with proven NAFLD by histology or NAFLD proven by imaging, who are undergoing
 surgery (i.e. bariatric surgery or cholecystectomy) will be asked to participate in this
 study. Furthermore, all subjects have to be between 18 and 65 years old.

 Main study parameters/endpoints:

 Non-invasive tool based on biomarkers and imaging to diagnose NASH.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  NAFLD proven by imaging

 -  Age 18-65 years

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Incompetent to understand and/or sign the informed consent.

 -  Ethanol consumption exceeding more than 14 standard beverages per week for males and
 more than 7 standard beverages per week for female.

 -  Causes for secondary hepatic fat accumulation such as significant alcohol consumption,
 medications, Wilson's disease, viral infections, starvation or parenteral nutrition,
 among others, and conditions associated with microvesicular steatosis

 -  Not willing to be informed about unexpected findings by MRI and histopathologic
 evaluation of liver biopsy

 -  Unwilling to collect biosamples.

 -  Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

 -  Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma.

 -  Current diagnosis of extrahepatic malignancie(s) or prior diagnosis within last 5
 years.

 -  Diagnosis of chronic inflammatory disease (i.e. inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid
 arthritis, inflammatory lung disease, severe infectious diseases), other than
 NAFLD/NASH

 -  Chronic use of immunosuppressants (e.g. biologicals, prednisolone, azathioprine)