Weight Loss Decreases Magnetic Resonance Elastography Estimated Liver Stiffness in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the presence of hepatic steatosis in individuals who consume little or no alcohol and can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and in particular those with advanced fibrosis, are at significant risk of cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. 1,2 Recently, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), a magnetic resonance-based imaging technique, has been shown to accurately diagnose fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Weight loss remains the mainstay of treatment for NAFLD and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; however, there are limited data regarding the effect of weight loss on liver fibrosis. In addition, whether MRE-estimated liver stiffness decreases with weight loss has not been previously assessed. In this study, we aim to determine the quantitative effect of weight loss on MRE-estimated liver stiffness in patients with NAFLD.