Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

NAFLD/fatty liver (> 5% fat deposition in hepatocytes) is a rapidly expanding disease entity due to the global obesity epidemic. Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are commonly associated with NAFLD. Upto one-third of patients affected by NAFLD have Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). This subset of NAFLD decompensates and progresses to cirrhosis rapidly. Liver biopsy is the gold standard investigation to confirm NASH. Management of NAFLD is based on the clinical situation of the patient and rests on lifestyle modifications, treatment of metobolic syndrome, liver directed pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, and managing complications of cirrhosis.