Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Patrick H Sweet; Teresa Khoo; Steven Nguyen

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2017.07.003

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Prim Care. 2017 Dec;44(4):599-607. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2017.07.003.

Authors

Patrick H Sweet¹, Teresa Khoo², Steven Nguyen²

Affiliations

¹ Family Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 555 Tachevah Drive, 2E-204, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA. Electronic address: Patrick.sweet@ucr.edu.
² Family Medicine Residency in Palm Springs, University of California, Riverside, 555 Tachevah Drive, 2E-204, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA.

PMID: 29132522
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2017.07.003

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defines a condition of hepatic steatosis with or without hepatic injury. NAFLD is increasing in prevalence worldwide and presents a public health burden. Most patients are asymptomatic, although some present with fatigue and right upper quadrant pain. NAFLD is discovered incidentally when patients have elevated liver enzymes or fatty liver is seen on imaging modalities. Imaging studies can confirm fatty deposits in the liver, but needle biopsy is needed to determine degree of inflammation. The mainstay of treatment is weight loss and controlling diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Liver transplantation is considered when disease progresses to cirrhosis.

Keywords: Dyslipidemia; Insulin resistance; Liver disease; Metabolic disease; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); Steatosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biopsy, Large-Core Needle
Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
Humans
Hyperlipidemias / epidemiology
Liver Function Tests
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnosis
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / epidemiology
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / physiopathology*
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / therapy*
Primary Health Care
Weight Loss