Steatotic liver disease in people with HIV at Tshepong Hospital: A post-mortem analysis

Abstract

Background: Liver disease is the leading cause of non-AIDS-related mortality in people living with HIV (PLWH). Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is increasingly recognised as an important aetiological factor in liver dysfunction in PLWH.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the post-mortem prevalence and severity of SLD and determine HIV- and non-HIV-related risk factors associated with it.

Method: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in which liver histology from 59 deceased people who were infected with HIV was assessed for steatosis, and findings correlated with clinical, epidemiological, and biochemical data.

Results: Decedents were predominantly men (33/59); 63% (37/59) were virologically supressed. Median CD4+ T-cell count was 139 cells/µL (interquartile range [IQR]: 47–344). Steatosis was present in 39% (23/59) of decedents: 74% mild, 9% moderate, and 17% severe steatosis. There were no cases of steatohepatitis, and one case with mild fibrosis. Factors associated with SLD were: CD4 T-lymphocyte count > 200 cells/µL (odds ratio [OR]: 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–11.44), female sex (OR: 8.5; 95% CI: 2.57–28.17), hypertension (OR: 6.5; 95% CI: 2.05–21.00), and being normal or overweight (OR: 6.75; 95% CI: 1.12–40.56). Virological suppression and duration of antiretroviral drug use were not associated with steatosis.

Conclusion: We found a high proportion of SLD with heterogeneous causes in deceased people who were infected with HIV, exceeding previously reported prevalences from elsewhere in Africa. A preserved CD4 count and being female conferred the highest risk for steatosis, underscoring the need for screening in this subgroup and further research to delineate risks in a Southern African population.