Valproate therapy and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Ann Neurol. 2004 May;55(5):729-32. doi: 10.1002/ana.20074.

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was defined recently as another symptom of insulin resistance. Continuous therapy with valproate can result in increased body weight and insulin resistance, but no data are yet available on a possible relationship between valproate and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We here demonstrate in abdominal ultrasound investigations that characteristics of fatty liver disease were present in 61% of valproate-treated patients as compared with 23% receiving carbamazepine therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Fatty Liver / chemically induced*
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Ultrasonography
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects*
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Carbamazepine
  • Valproic Acid