More on the thrombocytopenia of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background: Using only serologic determinations, we have previously found that thrombocytopenia presents in less than one half of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Material and methods: Employing a more accurate method to define the presence of NAFLD, serologic determinations (Fibromax®) coupled with liver transient elastography (TE/Fibroscan®), we have prospectively studied a group of 211 individuals with a suspicion of a liver disease. Results: NAFLD was identified in 81 individuals. In 48 persons another causes of liver damage were identified and discarded from further analysis. A subset of 33 patients with NAFLD without liver fibrosis or cirrhosis was analyzed. In eight of them (24%), thrombocytopenia (less than 150 × 10 9 /l platelets) was identified. The presence of thrombocytopenia in this subset of persons was associated with overweight, was usually mild, above 50 × 10 9 /l, was not associated to mucocutaneous bleeding and did not require treatment. Conclusions: NAFLD should be considered as a cause of mild thrombocytopenia. Our initial observation has been confirmed and defined more precisely. Additional studies are needed to further define more features of the thrombocytopenia of NAFLD, as well as its mechanisms.