Author information
1 Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 10 Tower Block, 119228, Singapore.
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, MCV Box 980341, Richmond, VA 23298-0341, USA. Electronic address: arun.sanyal@vcuhealth.org.
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common liver disease in both Western populations and other parts of the world. This review discusses the prevalence and incidence of NAFLD in various regions around the world. The methodology used to identify the epidemiology and classify the stages of the disease is described. The impact of the disease on individuals, looking at both liver-related and extrahepatic consequences of the disease, is then discussed. Finally, the economic and societal impact of the disease is discussed.