Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a broad clinicopathologic spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may advance to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Steatosis alone does not appear to be progressive. The prevalence of NAFLD average...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inReviews in gastroenterological disorders Vol. 2; no. 1; p. 11
Main Authors Yu, Andy S, Keeffe, Emmet B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 2002
Subjects
Biopsy, Needle
Disease Progression
Fatty Liver - diagnosis
Fatty Liver - pathology
Fatty Liver - therapy
Hepatitis - diagnosis
Hepatitis - pathology
Hepatitis - therapy
Hepatitis, Alcoholic - pathology
Humans
Liver - pathology
Liver Cirrhosis - pathology
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a broad clinicopathologic spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may advance to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Steatosis alone does not appear to be progressive. The prevalence of NAFLD averages 20% and that of NASH, 2% to 3%, making these conditions the most common liver diseases in the United States. NAFLD is associated with insulin resistance, which may be evident clinically with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertriglyceridemia. The pathogenesis of NAFLD consists of hepatic fat accumulation and oxidative stress with formation of free radicals. The clinical diagnosis is based on the presence of the insulin resistance syndrome and exclusion of alcohol abuse as well as viral, autoimmune, genetic, and drug-induced liver diseases. Liver biopsy is essential for diagnosis but may not be necessary for clinical management. Treatment is aimed at correcting the risk factors for NAFLD and using potentially hepatoprotective agents. Ursodeoxycholic acid and betaine appear particularly promising in early trials.
ISSN:1533-001X
1949-4386