NAFLD: a multisystem disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach

摘要

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often thought of as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and is frequently accompanied by type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslip-idaemia and cardiovascular disease. Together with the obesity epidemic, NAFLD has reached epidemic proportions and is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Despite the epidemic of NAFLD, relatively few of these patients will die of liver disease and the leading cause of death among NAFLD patients is cardiovascular disease. Patients with NAFLD also experience significant morbidity from comorbid conditions, such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. A liver-centric approach to the disease risks missing the forest for the trees.