Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Patients With NAFLD - Clinical Observation

Patients with NAFLD newly indicated for ursodeoxycholic acid treatment will be offered an observational study. Clinical examinations, blood sampling, ultrasound examinations of the liver and liver elastography will be performed. Non-invasive indices evaluating liver fibrosis and steatosis based on common anthropometric and laboratory parameters (FLI, NAFLD fibrosis score, BARD score, APRI, FIB-4) will also be evaluated. The examinations will be repeated after 6 months of treatment (all as part of regular routine check-ups performed in patients with NAFLD). Before and after the follow-up, patients will be offered examinations as part of cardiovascular disease (ultrasound examination of the carotid artery and endothelial dysfunction) and examinations for quantification of hepatic steatosis by MR spectroscopy.

Statistical processing: individual parameters will be evaluated before the start of monitoring and after 6-month monitoring. A difference of p≤0.05 will be considered a statistically significant change.

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals with NAFLD with ALT elevation and cholestatic features who are indicated for standard treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid according to SPC ("Hepatitis of various etiologies with cholestatic syndrome").

Exclusion criteria

• Previous treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid.
• Diagnosis of cirrhosis at the start of the study.
• Etiology of liver disease other than NAFLD.
• Presence of malignant disease.
• Cardiovascular comorbidity: CHD / CHD on pharmacological therapy, history of myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary / carotid intervention.
• Pregnancy.