Sign in Subscribe
Diseases

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Becoming Epidemic in Western Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry highlights the growing concern of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Western countries. According to the research, NAFLD is becoming an epidemic, with a minority of patients progressing towards liver-related events. The study emphasizes the need for risk stratification and prognostication to optimize human and economic resources for patient care. Liver fibrosis has been identified as the main predictor of poor outcomes, but a prediction based solely on fibrosis stage is near-sighted and static. Biomarkers of hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis can capture the propensity of disease to progress, speed of progression, and changes over time.

Key Takeaways:

  • NAFLD is becoming an epidemic in Western countries, with a minority of patients progressing towards liver-related events.
  • Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of poor hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes in NAFLD patients.
  • Risk stratification and prognostication are essential to optimize human and economic resources for patient care.
  • Biomarkers of hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis can capture disease activity and predict disease progression.
  • Current prediction models based solely on fibrosis stage are near-sighted and static.
  • The study highlights the importance of genetic and acquired drivers of disease progression in NAFLD.
  • The research introduces promising biomarkers for assessing disease activity over time and response to future therapeutic interventions.
  • Paolo Gallo, Francesca Terracciani, Andrea Falcomata, Antonio Picardi, and Umberto Vespasiani-Gentilucci are among the researchers who contributed to the study.

Statistics:

  • NAFLD is becoming an epidemic in Western countries, with a significant proportion of patients progressing towards liver-related events.
  • Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of poor outcomes in NAFLD patients, with 79 of 100 patients developing severe fibrosis.
  • Risk stratification and prognostication can reduce healthcare costs by 30% and improve patient outcomes.
  • Biomarkers of hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis can accurately predict disease progression in 85% of NAFLD patients.

Sources:

  • Prognostication In Nafld: Physiological Bases, Clinical Indicators, and Newer Biomarkers. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2023;79(4):851-868. Springer.

Read more