Changes in liver steatosis evaluated by transient elastography with the controlled attenuation parameter in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

Objectives: There are scant data on the progression of hepatic steatosis (HS) in HIV infection. We therefore evaluated changes in HS over time in HIV-infected patients using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Methods: A prospective cohort of 326 HIV-infected patients was included in this study. All patients underwent a CAP measurement. Changes in steatosis were evaluated by calculating the median (Q1–Q3) difference between baseline and 12-month CAP values. Results: The median (Q1–Q3) CAP was 221 (196–252) dB/m at baseline and 224 (198–257) dB/m at the 12-month visit (P = 0.617). Significant steatosis, that is, CAP ≥ 238 dB/m, was observed in 76 individuals (37%) at baseline and in 80 (39%) at the 12-month visit (P = 0.683). The following variables were associated with ΔCAP: plasma HIV RNA [< 50 vs. ≥ 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL: median (Q1–Q3) ΔCAP, 4 (−21, 27) vs. −21 (−49, 4) dB/m, respectively; P = 0.024]; body mass index (BMI) [no increase vs. increase: −13 (−40, 4) vs. 14 (−6, 32) dB/m, respectively; P < 0.001]; triglycerides [no increase vs. increase: −1 (−30, 22) vs. 15 (−3, 40) dB/m, respectively; P = 0.001]; fasting plasma glucose [not impaired vs. impaired: −4 (−31, 16) vs. 30 (15, 49) dB/m, respectively; P < 0.001]; and raltegravir [no vs. yes: 5 (−20, 29) vs. −11 (−37.5, 15) dB/m, respectively; P = 0.018]. The only factor independently associated with ΔCAP was BMI [B (standard error): 9.03 (1.9); P < 0.001]. Conclusions: Increases in CAP values over a period of 12 months in HIV-infected patients were strongly associated with elevations in BMI. Other metabolic factors and antiretroviral drugs were not predictors of CAP changes independent of BMI.