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VOLUME 14 , ISSUE 1 ( January-June, 2024 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Ursodeoxycholic Acid's Effectiveness in the Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Vaibhavi S Patel, Safa F Mahmood, Kunal H Bhatt, Richisha M Khemkar, Devanshi R Jariwala, Bilal Harris, Mirna M George, Reuel A Kurudamannil, Onyekachi E Anyagwa, Rajeeka S Tak, Maha Kassem

Keywords : Meta-analysis, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Systematic review, Ursodeoxycholic acid

Citation Information : Patel VS, Mahmood SF, Bhatt KH, Khemkar RM, Jariwala DR, Harris B, George MM, Kurudamannil RA, Anyagwa OE, Tak RS, Kassem M. Ursodeoxycholic Acid's Effectiveness in the Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol 2024; 14 (1):92-98.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1434

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 12-06-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: This meta-analysis's objective was to assess the effectiveness of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Electronic databases like PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were thoroughly looked for randomized controlled trials determining ursodeoxycholic acid's (UDCAs) effectiveness on the serum liver function tests in NAFLD patients. After screening, seven randomized controlled trials were incorporated overall. Utilizing a fixed effects model, quantitative data synthesis was performed in R version 4.3.1. Results: The meta-analysis showed significant reductions in alanine transaminase (ALT) (p ≤ 0.0001), aspartate transaminase (p = 0.0009), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (p ≤ 0.0001) after UDCA therapy. However, significant reductions in bilirubin (p = 0.6989) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p = 0.1172) levels were not noted. Sensitivity analysis by removing the studies with some concerns of bias was successful in demonstrating a remarkable reduction in heterogeneity for aspartate transaminase and ALP, which was also observed while performing the subgroup analyses via dosage. Conclusion: Ursodeoxycholic acid was beneficial in patients diagnosed with NAFLD as it significantly reduced aspartate transaminase, ALT and GGT levels. However, more randomized controlled trials are required to be conducted in the future to increase the certainty of the evident findings. Clinical significance: This meta-analysis strengthens the evidence about the reductions in AST, ALT, and GGT levels observed with ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in NAFLD patients by pooling the data together from the latest RCTs thus proving its hepatoprotective effects which can be beneficial in preventing the associated complications.

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