NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND STEATOHEPATITIS

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as one of the most common liver diseases in the world. It has been used as a general name for conditions ranging from simple steatosis through steatohepatitis to end-stage liver disease ( cirrhosis), and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is associated with insulin resistance and frequently occurs with features of the metabolic syndrome. Disease presentation ranges from asymptomatic elevated liver enzyme levels to cirrhosis with complications of liver failure. In this article we discuss the etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as well as approaches to its management.