[Treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2011:155:A3181.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises benign steatosis and steatohepatitis (NASH) and may lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its prevalence is estimated to be 20% in the general population and 50-100% in patients with overweight and obesity. In about 15-30% of patients steatosis evolves to NASH which can only be diagnosed by means of a liver biopsy. NAFLD may be described as the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome and is a consequence of the Western lifestyle. The pathogenesis is multifactorial; oxidative stress plays a crucial role in maintaining inflammation and progressive fibrosis. Lifestyle modification with weight loss and increased physical activity is the cornerstone of the treatment, which should take place in a multidisciplinary setting. To date, no specific registered drug for NAFLD treatment is available. Supportive drug therapy is mainly focused on aspects of the metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatty Liver / complications
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis*
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / therapy
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Weight Loss / physiology*