Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is fat accumulation within the liver, without any history of alcohol consumption.
The liver has some amount of fat however, if the fat amount increases > 10% of liver weight it is indicative of fatty liver disease.
Risk factors
- Obesity
- Starvation
- Diabetes
- Dyslipidemia
Clinical presentation
NAFLD presents with different severity:
- Fatty liver
- NASH (fatty liver with inflammation)
- Cirrhosis
Deposition of fat in the liver. It is the most benign disease with minimum risk of disease progression.
NASH presents with fat deposition along with liver inflammation
There is a greater risk for progressive liver diseases
Cirrhosis is the most severe manifestation of NAFLD
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of NAFLD
- LFT
- FBS/serum insulin
- Lipid profile
- Thyroid profile
- USG abdomen shows hyperechoic liver and enlarged liver
- Liver biopsy if patients have a persistent elevation of liver enzymes
Treatment
- Gradual weight reduction
- Lifestyle modification
- Minimize calorie intake
- Recent treatment included ursodeoxycholic acid and Vit E
