NAFLD/NASH
Pathology
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the generic term for a spectrum of diseases characterised by the accumulation of fat in the liver, from isolated steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
The first stage is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which occurs in people who regularly consume large quantities of calorific foods and/or have a sedentary lifestyle without any physical activity. Excess calories are then stored as fat in the liver cells. Steatosis occurs when the liver contains more than 5% fat and has a pale-yellow appearance.
The next stage is NASH. The accumulation of fat in the liver becomes dramatic and leads to inflammation and cell damage, known as ballooning. At this stage, if no action is taken, the damage to the liver cells leads to fibrosis and loss of liver function and even cirrhosis.
NAFLD/NASH
Pathology
Issue
NAFLD and NASH are difficult to diagnose.
Diagnosing NAFLD is complex since it requires a liver biopsy, and an invasive, uncomfortable, expensive and potentially risky procedure to be carried out.
Other methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or elastography are also used, but equipment is often hard to access.
A diagnostic blood test is currently being developed and registered.
There is currently no treatment for NASH. Recommendations are designed to prevent or slow down the progression of the disease by eliminating the causes and preventing the risk factors. The measures taken are therefore based on a better diet and physical exercise in order to prevent the onset of diabetes and dyslipidaemia or to combat obesity.
Issue
NAFLD and NASH are difficult to diagnose.
Diagnosing NAFLD is complex since it requires a liver biopsy, and an invasive, uncomfortable, expensive and potentially risky procedure to be carried out.
Other methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or elastography are also used, but equipment is often hard to access.
A diagnostic blood test is currently being developed and registered.
There is currently no treatment for NASH. Recommendations are designed to prevent or slow down the progression of the disease by eliminating the causes and preventing the risk factors. The measures taken are therefore based on a better diet and physical exercise in order to prevent the onset of diabetes and dyslipidaemia or to combat obesity.
Key figures
The global prevalence of NAFLD is estimated to be over 25%, with higher rates in the most developed countries (34% in the United States). According to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), one to two thirds of diabetic patients suffer from NAFLD, which can rapidly progress to hepatic steatosis or NASH.
A meta-analysis of obese patients shows that 91% of them suffer from NAFLD and 37% from NASH.
The difficult in diagnosing NASH makes it hard to obtain accurate data, but the overall prevalence is estimated to be between 1.5% and 6.45%, and around 12% in the US
Key figures
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