Evaluation of autoimmune phenomena in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on the basis of liver pathology

Table 5 Comparison of pathologic microscopic features in three groups, n (%)

	NAFLD (n = 104)	NAFL (n = 36)	NASH (n = 51)	Cirrhosis (n = 17)	P value
Portal enlargement	87 (83.7)	27 (75.0)	46 (90.2)	14 (82.4)	0.188
Portal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration	10 (9.6)	1 (2.8)a	3 (5.9)a	6 (35.3)	0.0022
Small bile duct changes
Hyperplasia	17 (16.3)	3 (8.3)b	5 (9.8)1,b	9 (52.9)2	< 0.001
Paucity	3 (2.9)	0	1 (2.0)	2 (11.8)	0.069
Interface hepatitis	19 (18.3)	1 (2.8)b	8 (15.7)a	10 (58.8)	< 0.001
Hepatocellular rosettes	2 (1.9)	0	0	2 (11.8)	0.025

¹1 patient with both bile duct paucity and hyperplasia.

²2 patients had both bile duct paucity and hyperplasia.

^aP < 0.05 vs cirrhosis group.

^bP < 0.001 vs cirrhosis group.

NAFLD: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.