http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22925921
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Aug 24. [Epub ahead of print]

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition:

January 2013 - Volume 56 - Issue 1 - p 77–82

doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31826f2b8c

Original Articles: Hepatology and Nutrition

Psychosocial Outcomes for Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease over Time and Compared to Obese Controls.

Kerkar N, D'Urso C, Van Nostrand K, Kochin I, Gault A, Suchy F, Miloh T, Arnon R, Chu J, Annunziato R.

Source

*Division of Pediatric Hepatology and Recanati Miller Transplant Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York †Division of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY ‡Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York §University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado ||Phoenix Children's Hospital and Mayo Clinic, University of Arizona.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) experience compromised quality of life (QOL) akin to those with other chronic disease. Our objectives were (i) to examine the association between NAFLD and QOL as well as other psychosocial outcomes (ii) to compare psychosocial outcomes to obese children without known NAFLD (iii) to determine whether current standard care for NAFLD results in weight loss and improvement in psychosocial outcomes longitudinally.

METHODS: Children with NAFLD between 8-18 years and obese control children without known NAFLD were consented to complete a brief psychosocial battery examining depression (Children's Depression Inventory; CDI), quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; Peds QL), and effect of weight on self-esteem (Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults; BESAA) at baseline; and additionally for the NAFLD group after at least 6 months.

RESULTS: Forty eight children with NAFLD and 40 obese control children were enrolled. The Peds QL scores were not significantly different but the CDI total score and subscales of Negative Mood, Ineffectiveness and Negative Self-Esteem as well as all three subscales of BESAA, Appearance, Attribution and Weight were worse in the NAFLD group compared to obese controls. The Peds QL scores also did not change after standard care in the 33 NAFLD patients who completed the follow-up evaluations, but the CDI score differed between those whose BMI improved or not.

CONCLUSIONS: Children with NAFLD have higher levels of depression than obese controls. Outcomes did not improve with standard care. Larger longitudinal studies and appropriate interventions are required in this area.

PMID: 22925921 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]