Impact of sleeve gastrectomy on the course of metabolic associated fatty liver disease

Background and Aim Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is now a leading cause for chronic liver disease worldwide. Bariatric surgery has a beneficial effect on morbid obesity. We aimed at evaluating the impact of sleeve gastrectomy on the course of metabolic associated fatty liver disease. Methods An observational prospective cohort study from February 2021 to March 2023 included 66 morbidly obese patients diagnosed with MAFLD. Sleeve gastrectomy was done, where intra-operative liver biopsy was obtained. Baseline values of anthropometric measures, full metabolic profile and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using the XL probe were compared with three and six-months post-operatively. Results Prevalence of MAFLD was histologically diagnosed in 75%. There was a significant decrease in body mass index, circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), LSM by transient elastography measurements in kilo Pascals (TE-kPa) and CAP level from baseline to three and six months post-operatively. Also, the AST/platelets ratio (APRI), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and atheroscelerosis cardiovascular risk score (ASCVD) scores decreased significantly from baseline to six months of follow-up. In MAFLD patients, there was a significant positive linear correlation between the CAP score and TE, between the CAP and AST, ALT, ASCVD score, but a negative correlation with high density lipoprotein (HDL). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the percentage of decline TE and APRI scores and percentage of decline of CAP, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Conclusion There was a very high prevalence of steatosis and steatohepatitis in asymptomatic morbidly obese patients. Sleeve gastrectomy has a beneficial effect on MAFLD and its associated comorbidities.