A Case of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in a Cured Acromegalic Patient With Severe Growth Hormone Deficiency

ABSTRACT Objective: Acromegaly is associated with metabolic and neoplastic complications, but successful treatment of acromegaly can sometimes result in growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may develop in GHD, although there are few reports of such cases after cured acromegaly. Methods: We report the case of a 41-year-old woman with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis associated with GHD after surgical cure of acromegaly. Results: Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy improved serum triglyceride, hyaluronic acid, and type IV collagen levels as well as liver function and quality of life. Computed tomography (CT) showed reduced volumes of both visceral and subcutaneous fat and an increased liver/spleen CT attenuation value. Conclusion: Cured acromegalic patients should be carefully examined if GHD and associated metabolic disorders arise. Appropriate diagnosis of GHD and prompt treatment with GH replacement should ameliorate liver dysfunction and the metabolic changes associated with GHD. Abbreviations: ALT = alanine aminotransferase AST = aspartate aminotransferase BMI = body mass index CT = computed tomography GH = growth hormone GHD = growth hormone deficiency HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor 1 NAFLD = nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NASH = nonalcoholic steatohepatitis OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test rhGH = recombinant human GH