Hepatic steatosis in HIV-infected patients older than 50 years of age: a sub-study of the POPPY cohort

Liver disease in the only major cause of mortality currently increasing in the UK and is the fifth most common cause of death after heart disease, cancer, stroke and respiratory disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the general population. Whilst the prevalence of NAFLD in PLWH has been reported to be 48%, little is known about the effect of aging on the evolution of liver on this. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of NAFLD between PLWH and the HIV-negative controls in POPPY. The study will be cross-sectional: 330 participants (110 in each of the POPPY sub-cohorts) will be assessed for hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis will be measured by elastography.Plasma samples will be collected and stored to measure bio-markers of liver disease.