Sandbox:Gunnam

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is due to the deposition of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, when there is more than 5 -10 percent of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver (steatosis).NAFLD is marked by inflammation that can progress to irreversible damage.NAFDL is similar to the damage caused by alcohol consumption in most of the cases. It is estimated that in united states approximately 80 to 100 million people are affected with NAFDL. NAFLD most commonly effects people in the age group 2-19 and 40-50 years.It is most commonly seen in Hispanic population when compared to Caucasian and African American populations

Historical Perspective

NAFLD is relatively new concept first introduced in 1980. Based on histology it is classified into the non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).NAFL mostly considered as a benign condition but recent studies show it can progress to NASH up to 44%.On the other hand NASH progress to fibrosis that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer (HCC).

Risk Factors

• NAFLD is related to obesity which will result in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
• It is estimated that approximately 80% of the obese people suffer from NAFLD.
• Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more prone to develop Nafld

• Patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia are also associated with developing NAFLD

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Risk Factors

• There are no established risk factors for [disease name].

OR

• The most potent risk factor in the development of [disease name] is [risk factor 1]. Other risk factors include [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

• Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] include [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

Common Risk Factors

• Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] may be occupational, environmental, genetic, and viral.
• Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] include:
  • [Risk factor 1]
  • [Risk factor 2]
  • [Risk factor 3]

Less Common Risk Factors

• Less common risk factors in the development of [disease name] include:
  • [Risk factor 1]
  • [Risk factor 2]
  • [Risk factor 3]

Signs and Symptoms

Usually, Nafdl [Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease] presents with no or few symptoms and sighs but when it does it shows the following

• Hepatomegaly
• Patient presents with fatigue
• Abdominal swelling (ascites)
• Enlarged breasts in men ( due to decreased estrogen clearance by liver damage )
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)