Perspectives

Know Your Guidelines Series: Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Primary Care and Endocrinology Clinical Settings

Authors: Desiree C. Burroughs-Ray, MD, MPH, Samantha Whitwell, MD, Nathan Williams, BA, Hira Imran, MD, Christopher D. Jackson, MD

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of liver disease without ongoing or significant alcohol use that ranges from hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis. NAFLD is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia.1,2 Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents the progression of NAFLD with at least 5% of hepatic steatosis paired with inflammation and liver damage. NASH is among the top causes of hepatocellular carcinoma and the second leading reason for liver transplantation. Despite the increased mortality associated with all NAFLD stages, the literature suggests that clinicians have knowledge gaps regarding NAFLD and its predominance in patients with T2DM. Primary care physicians can improve the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD and identify patients who are at increased risk.
Posted in: Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism36

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