Diagnosis and Evaluation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Including Noninvasive Biomarkers and Transient Elastography

Clin Liver Dis. 2018 Feb;22(1):73-92. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2017.08.004.

Abstract

The incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing and identification of people at risk of disease progression is extremely important. The current gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is by liver biopsy, but it has several limitations. Noninvasive tests via biomarkers and transient elastography to assess NAFLD/NASH are being used in clinical practice. The most validated diagnostic panels include the NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB-4 (Fibrosis-4), and FibroMeter. Transient elastography is very useful in evaluating advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Noninvasive biomarker; Steatohepatitis; Transient elastography.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biopsy
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
  • Ferritins / blood
  • Humans
  • Keratin-18 / blood
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / blood
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnosis*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Keratin-18
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Ferritins