Several liver histologic abnormalities are discribed in obese patients. One hundred thirty three assymptomatic obese women, were submitted to liver ultrasonography (USG). They were divided in group 1 (n = 68), obese women with image compatible with liver steatosis and group 2 (n = 64) obese women without steatosis. The groups were matched for age and body mass index (BMI = weight/ height²). The mean age ± SD of two groups were 35.3 ± 7.2 years and 34.7 ± 9.0 years respectively, group 1 and group 2. The mean BMI ± in group 1 was 40.5 ± 5.6 kg/m² and group 2 was 39.5 ± 7.1 kg/m². Blood samples were taken for biochemical and liver function test determination. The results showed that triglycerides and uric acid were higher in group 1 than group 2 (p<0,05). Plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamaglutamil transpeptidase levels were similar. We conclude that metabolic abnormalites are more frequent in obese women with steatosis than in those without steatosis.
Ultrasonography; Liver; Obesity; Steatosis
