International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780254201312264727EN20131226<p><strong>Background</strong>: We tested whether hepatic haemodynamics<br />assessed by Doppler ultrasonography can be a predictor of response to therapy in patients with non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to prevent further unnecessary diagnostic tests and interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Forty eight consecutive patients affected by NAFLD,<br />who refered to some clinics in Tabriz, Iran between 2009 and<br />2011 were included in the study. Response to therapy was<br />assessed by decrease in liver enzyme levels. Three liver Doppler parameters (hepatic artery resistance index [RI], hepatic artery pulsatility index [PI] and portal vein waveform [PVW]) were analysed in all subjects who showed a decrease in liver function tests results. Wilcoxon and paired student&rsquo;s t‑test were used for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Forty eight subjects with NAFLD were included in the<br />study during 21 months, out of which 22 (39.1% male &ndash; mean age: 37.6 &plusmn; 8.3) responded to the treatment and formed the basis of this study. Mean hepatic artery RI increased significantly from 0.60 &plusmn; 0.07 to 0.83 &plusmn; 0.27before and after treatment, however, there was no significant differences between hepatic artery PI or PVW.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Increase in hepatic artery RI assessed by Doppler ultrasound may provide information on improvement of NAFLD in patients during the course of therapy.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Doppler sonography, hepatic artery resistance index, non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease</p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1291http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1291/1412