Intervención para modificar la actividad de la esteatosis hepática no alcohólica en pacientes portadores de la enfermedad.

Abstract

The objective of the research was to modify the activity of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (NASH) in patients from the rural communities Catequilla, Rumicruz, Quintus and Gualanag of the Chambo canton, through the application of a health intervention. A quasi-experimental investigation of longitudinal cohort and descriptive and correlational scope was carried out. The universe consisted of a total of 64 patients with NASH, by means of a non-probabilistic sampling based on criteria the study sample was established in 53 subjects. For the data collection a form developed specifically for the investigation was used, the same one that was applied before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS Statistics program, descriptive statistics for continuous variables included measures of central tendency and dispersion; for categorical variables, absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated. Inferential statistics included Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney's U, McNemar's test and The Ranges with Wilcoxon signs test. Sedentary or low-level physical activity patients had higher levels of AST (p=0.026) and ALT (p=0.013). The intervention allowed to improve the levels of physical activity of the participants (p<0.001), which in turn modified the activity of NASH, decreasing the values of AST (p<0.001) and ALT (p=0.005) and causing in some cases of disease remission, data confirmed by ultrasound (p<0.001). In conclusion, regular practice of medium or high levels of physical activity can positively modify the activity of NASH. It is recommended to perform NASH screening by means of ALT to patients with risk factors and to conduct training talks about the benefits of physical activity in health units.