An association of large-fibre peripheral nerve dysfunction with non-invasive measures of liver fibrosis secondary to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetes

Abstract Aim To examine for an association of elevated lower-limb vibration perception threshold (VPT) with NAFLD fibrosis. Methods Two cohorts from a tertiary diabetes centre were studied — Cohort 1, n=456 with type 1 or 2 diabetes, and Cohort 2, n=106 with type 2 diabetes mellitus. All underwent a detailed assessment, including VPT measurement. Cohort 2 also had liver ultrasound and transient elastography (TE). NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) was calculated for all with available data. Follow-up VPT measurements on participants in Cohort 1 to 2014 were also collected if available. Results Adjusted risk of higher VPT category (≥25V but Conclusions Higher VPT associates with markers of liver fibrosis due to NAFLD in diabetes mellitus.