Fatty liver disease and its course in Chinese adults with obesity
Studies fatty liver disease and related markers in obese adults having weight-loss surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Clinical Course and Biomarkers Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Chinese Patients With Obesity
Key facts
- Where
- Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
Where in Hong Kong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Ward 3M, Diabetes and Endocrine Research Centre, 3/F Day Treatment Block and Children Wards (Old Block), Prince of Wales HospitalHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Trial code
- NCT07662356
- Record updated
- 23 June 2026
- Original description
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in many parts of the world. NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and result in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Despite NAFLD is common, there are a lot of knowledge gaps about this common disease including the progression from NAFLD to NASH and from fibrosis to cirrhosis, efficacious treatment strategies, etc.Read full original descriptionShow less
Clinical Course and Biomarkers Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Chinese Patients With Obesity
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in many parts of the world. NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and result in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Despite NAFLD is common, there are a lot of knowledge gaps about this common disease including the progression from NAFLD to NASH and from fibrosis to cirrhosis, efficacious treatment strategies, etc.
In this study, we aim to investigate the clinical course and biomarkers associated with NAFLD in a group of obese patients with or without known history of NAFLD at baseline undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. During laparoscopic surgery, subjects consented to participate will have liver biopsies performed under direct vision and sent for histological analysis and scoring. The patients will undergo comprehensive clinical and biochemical assessment before and after the surgical procedures.
The prevalence of NAFLD and clinical course of this group of patients with obesity will be assessed using histology as the gold standard. Clinical characteristics and biomarkers associated with NAFLD will be identified.
Inclusion: Age 18 years or above; Chinese ethnicity; Patient undergoing obesity surgery at The Prince of Wales Hospital.
Exclusion: Active uncontrolled psychiatric illness; Presence of other co-existing liver disease, as evidenced by known history of positive viral hepatitis serology; History of decompensated liver disease; Failure to give consent; Endocrine causes of obesity; Active substance abuse; Alcohol intake exceeding 30 grams per day in males or 20 grams per day in females; Unlikely to comply with management protocol.