Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Recent studies have shown that NAFLD occurs in both sexes, at any age, and in any economic situation. In Iran, the prevalence of NAFLD has been reported between 2.09% and 2.9%. The most common cause of the disease is insulin resistance, along with obesity and cardiovascular disease. The true incidence and prevalence of NAFLD can be difficult to determine due to the variability in the definition of the disease. Clinical symptoms of fatty liver disease are often unreliable and non-specific, and diagnostic methods include biochemical markers of radiological imaging accompanied by liver biopsy. The most commonly used treatments are diet, exercise, and pharmacological and surgical treatment of the liver. In this article, after the introduction of the disease and symptoms, epidemiology, etiology, complications, laboratory findings, differential diagnoses, treatment, and follow-up are described. Diagnostic methods of this disease include laboratory tests, biomarkers, imaging studies such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fibroscopy, and biopsy sampling. Interactions such as lifestyle changes, weight loss, insulin resistance management, lipid lowering factors, decrease weight, drugs, surgery, and liver transplantation are effective treatments. Management of NAFLD and early and correct diagnosis and treatment of this disease can reduce the mortality and morbidity of the disease.