NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE – HOW TO MANAGE A “NEW” CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTOR?

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver injury, characterized by fatty infiltration that involves more than 5% of hepatocytes in the absence of alcohol consumption (or an intake of less than 20 g in women and 30 g in men). NAFLD includes a spectrum of disease from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Histological, NASH is defined by the presence of macrovesicular steatosis, lobular inflammation, and hepatocellular ballooning.