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Abstract Details
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-A Global Public Health Perspective
Younossi ZM1. J Hepatol. 2018 Nov 8. pii: S0168-8278(18)32517-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.10.033. [Epub ahead of print]
Author information
1
Center for Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Inova Fairfax Hospital, United States; Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, USA. Electronic address: zobair.younossi@inova.org.
Abstract
As the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus increase worldwide, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is increasing proportionately. The subtype of NAFLD which can be characterized as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a potentially progressive liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and death; it is associated with extrahepatic manifestations such as chronic kidney disease cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. NAFLD and NASH are also associated with a large economic burden and poor health-related quality of life. Despite this important burden, we are only beginning to understand its mechanisms of pathogenesis and the contribution of environmental and genetic factors to the risk of developing a progressive course. Research is underway to identify appropriate non-invasive diagnostic methods and effective treatments. Although the risk of liver related mortality is increased in NAFLD patients with liver fibrosis stages 3 or 4 , the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. Given the rapidly growing global burden of NAFLD and NASH, efforts must continue to find accurate non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, to develop effective treatments for individuals with advanced NASH as well as prevention methods for individuals at high risk for NAFLD and progressive liver disease.