Letter to the Editor

Thrombocytopenia, NAFLD, and Metabolic Syndrome: Is There a Link?

Authors: Constantin A. Dasanu, MD, PhD, Samuel Lamana, PAC, Guru Trikudanathan, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


We read with great interest the article by Bell examining the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and each of the following: metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.1 We congratulate the author on clarifying these associations and agree that NAFLD should be regarded at present as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, not only the metabolic syndrome per se, but also some of its components were shown to represent independent risk factors for the development of NAFLD.1,2 NAFLD represents an important health hazard as it has been shown to progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. While thrombocytopenia is known to accompany liver cirrhosis with or without liver failure and/or coagulopathy, a causal relationship between NAFLD and thrombocytopenia has not been established to date.

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References

1. Bell DS. The association of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. South Med J 2009;102:991–992.
 
2. Tsai CH, Li TC, Lin CC. Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. South Med J 2008;101:900–905.
 
3. Day CP. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: current concepts and management strategies. Clin Med2006;6:19–25.