TR
EN
Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD
Öz
Objective: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is strongly linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery, particularly laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), is an established treatment for severe obesity and may improve hepatic steatosis and broader metabolic dysfunction. However, the interpretation of non-invasive fibrosis markers during rapid postoperative weight loss remains challenging, especially when biochemical improvement does not parallel fibrosis score trajectories. This study aimed to evaluate short-term changes in the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and to assess concurrent changes in insulin resistance, liver enzymes, platelet count, and body mass index. We also sought to determine whether early postoperative changes in FIB-4 should be interpreted cautiously during the active weight-loss period.
Material and Method: This retrospective single-center study included 91 patients who underwent LSG between 2023 and 2025. Preoperative and postoperative data obtained during a follow-up period of 6–12 months included body weight, body mass index (BMI), liver enzymes, platelet count, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin. FIB-4 and HOMA-IR were calculated from routine laboratory measurements. Ultrasonographic steatosis was graded from 0 to 3. Pre- and postoperative comparisons were performed using non-parametric methods.
Results: The cohort had a mean age of 39.19 ± 10.03 years and was predominantly female (80.2%). Significant postoperative reductions were observed in weight (118.92 ± 19.59 kg vs. 93.44 ± 17.70 kg, p<0.001), BMI (45.09 ± 6.26 kg/m² vs. 36.61 ± 4.92 kg/m², p<0.001), alanine aminotransferase, and HOMA-IR (6.92 ± 5.08 vs. 2.78 ± 1.48, p<0.001). In contrast, the mean FIB-4 score increased modestly but significantly from 0.57 ± 0.24 to 0.70 ± 0.51 (p=0.0016).
Conclusion: LSG was associated with significant short-term metabolic improvement, including reductions in body weight, insulin resistance, and liver enzyme levels. Although the FIB-4 index increased modestly during the early postoperative period, both preoperative and postoperative values remained within the low-risk range. These findings suggest that early postoperative FIB-4 changes should be interpreted cautiously, as they may reflect transient alterations in platelet count and liver biochemistry during active weight loss rather than true fibrosis progression.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Destekleyen Kurum
None
Etik Beyan
This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Ankara Etlik City Hospital (AEŞH-BADEK2-2026-080, approval date: 27.01.2026) and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Due to the retrospective design, informed consent was waived.
Teşekkür
None
Kaynakça
- European Association for the Study of the Liver, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, European Association for the Study of Obesity. EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Obes Facts. 2024;17(4):374-444.
- Rinella ME, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Siddiqui MS, et al. AASLD Practice Guidance on the Clinical Assessment and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Hepatology. 2023;77(5):1797-1835.
- Younossi ZM, Zelber-Sagi S, Lazarus JV, et al. Global Consensus Recommendations for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology. 2025;169(5):1017-1032.e2.
- Tilg H, Petta S, Stefan N, Targher G. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2026;335(2):163-174
- Caussy C, Vergès B, Leleu D, et al. Screening for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-Related Advanced Fibrosis in Diabetology: A Prospective Multicenter Study. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(6):877-886.
- Liu H, Lefere S, Guillot A, et al. Bariatric Surgery for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): Current Knowledge of Mechanisms. Hepatology. 2025;82(1):e0261.
- Lassailly G, Caiazzo R, Hollebecque A, et al. Bariatric Surgery Reduces Features of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Morbidly Obese Patients. Gastroenterology. 2015;149(2):379-388.
- Seyedi A, Rabizadeh S, Karimpour Reyhan S, et al. Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Liver Fibrosis Indices Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a National Cohort. Sci Rep. 2025;15:1235.
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Genel Cerrahi
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yazarlar
Yayımlanma Tarihi
14 Ekim 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
18 Nisan 2026
Kabul Tarihi
14 Temmuz 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 8 Sayı: 3
APA
Değirmencioğlu, G., & Çanakcı, M. H. (2026). Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD. Hitit Medical Journal, 8(3), 568-576. https://doi.org/10.52827/hititmedj.1933446
AMA
1.Değirmencioğlu G, Çanakcı MH. Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD. Hitit Medical Journal. 2026;8(3):568-576. doi:10.52827/hititmedj.1933446
Chicago
Değirmencioğlu, Gürkan, ve Mehmet Hanifi Çanakcı. 2026. “Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD”. Hitit Medical Journal 8 (3): 568-76. https://doi.org/10.52827/hititmedj.1933446.
EndNote
Değirmencioğlu G, Çanakcı MH (01 Ekim 2026) Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD. Hitit Medical Journal 8 3 568–576.
IEEE
[1]G. Değirmencioğlu ve M. H. Çanakcı, “Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD”, Hitit Medical Journal, c. 8, sy 3, ss. 568–576, Eki. 2026, doi: 10.52827/hititmedj.1933446.
ISNAD
Değirmencioğlu, Gürkan - Çanakcı, Mehmet Hanifi. “Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD”. Hitit Medical Journal 8/3 (01 Ekim 2026): 568-576. https://doi.org/10.52827/hititmedj.1933446.
JAMA
1.Değirmencioğlu G, Çanakcı MH. Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD. Hitit Medical Journal. 2026;8:568–576.
MLA
Değirmencioğlu, Gürkan, ve Mehmet Hanifi Çanakcı. “Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD”. Hitit Medical Journal, c. 8, sy 3, Ekim 2026, ss. 568-76, doi:10.52827/hititmedj.1933446.
Vancouver
1.Gürkan Değirmencioğlu, Mehmet Hanifi Çanakcı. Paradoxical Increase in FIB-4 Despite Metabolic Improvement After Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Study in Patients With MASLD. Hitit Medical Journal. 01 Ekim 2026;8(3):568-76. doi:10.52827/hititmedj.1933446