Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in myotonic dystrophy: DMPK gene mutation, insulin resistance and development of steatohepatitis

Abstract

Myotonic dystrophy is a multisystemic disorder characterized by repeat expansion mutations of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene resulting in a defective muscular insulin receptor and insulin resistance. We describe a patient with myotonic dystrophy who developed biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. We suggest that patients with myotonic dystrophy are at risk of developing steatohepatitis. The relationship between defective insulin receptor and development of steatohepatitis should be further investigated. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG.