Non-invasive diagnosis and staging of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and is characterized by ectopic accumulation of triglycerides in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, i.e., steatosis. NAFLD has become the most common chronic liver disease, with an estimated global prevalence of 25%. Although the majority of NAFLD patients will never experience liver-related complications, the progressive potential of NAFLD is indisputable, with 5–10% of subjects progressing to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, or hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD patients with advanced fibrosis are at the highest risk of developing cardiovascular and cirrhosis-related complications. Liver biopsy has hitherto been considered the reference method for evaluation of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis stage. Given the limitations of biopsy for widescale screening, non-invasive tests (NITs) for assessment of steatosis and fibrosis stage, including serum-based algorithms and ultrasound- and magnetic resonance-based methods, will play an increasing role in the management of NAFLD patients. This comprehensive review presents the advantages and limitations of NITs for identification of steatosis and advanced fibrosis in NAFLD. The clinical implications of using NITs to identify and manage NAFLD patients are also discussed.

Significance of Fib4 index as an indicator of alcoholic hepatotoxicity in health examinations among Japanese male workers: a cross-sectional and retrospectively longitudinal study

“…3 Department of Preventive Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan. 4 Hepatitis Information Centre, Research Centre for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Centre for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan. 5 • thorough peer review by experienced researchers in your field…”

“…NAFLD is divided into nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [3]. Given that patients with NASH are at risk of developing liver fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Fib4 is recommended as a clinical marker for easily assessing the degree of progression of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD [4].…”

Influence of fruit, meal distribution and dental health on cardio-metabolic risk

“…Radiological appearance of steatosis on ultrasound, CT or MRI is a common finding of NAFLD (116). In fact, steatosis is often an incidental finding in radiological examinations performed for a different reason.…”

“…In fact, steatosis is often an incidental finding in radiological examinations performed for a different reason. The cut-off for quantitative measure of intrahepatic lipid content is 5.0% to 5.6% by use of either quantitative fat/water selective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnetic resonance imaging or proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 HMRS) (116). There are some scores based on laboratory analysis with clinical findings who have been proven useful in estimating the risk of NAFLD in absence of available imagining diagnostics.…”

Note by Hormones’ new editor: metabolic syndrome plus obesity and COVID-19, the two concurrent pandemics and the field of endocrinology

“…While it is hard not to become involved in the treatment of this urgent health issue, it is all too easy to be overwhelmed by the ever accumulating data. In Hormones, as this issue demonstrates [5][6][7][8][9][10], we make a consistent effort to be at the forefront of dissemination of the most up-to-date information on obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, and MS. The Hellenic Endocrine Society, like other medical societies around the world, strives to be proactive and exercise maximum foresight, advocating for the prevention of obesity so as to * Constantine A. Stratakis castratakis@verizon.net; castratakis@elpen.gr effectively preclude its often hazardous consequences, these including MS, as well as to prevent, recognize, and treat another obesity-related disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [5].…”