Open AccessDiagnostic and interventional circulating biomarkers in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Author(s) -
Tincopa Monica A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2398-9238
DOI - 10.1002/edm2.177
Subject(s) - medicine , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , steatosis , steatohepatitis , liver biopsy , fatty liver , fibrosis , nonalcoholic steatohepatitis , gold standard (test) , clinical trial , intensive care medicine , liver disease , population , disease , gastroenterology , chronic liver disease , clinical practice , pathology , biopsy , cirrhosis , physical therapy , environmental health
In the setting of the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease worldwide. Approximately 25% of adults globally have NAFLD which includes those with NAFL, or simple steatosis, and individuals with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) where inflammation, hepatocyte injury and potentially hepatic fibrosis are found in conjunction with steatosis. Individuals with NASH, particularly those with hepatic fibrosis, have higher rates of liver‐related and overall mortality, making this distinction of significant clinical importance. One of the core challenges in current clinical practice is identifying this subset of individuals with NASH without the use of liver biopsy, the gold standard for both diagnostics and staging disease severity. Identifying noninvasive biomarkers, an accurately measured and reproducible parameter, would aide in identifying patients eligible for NASH pharmacotherapy clinical trials and to help tailor intensity of monitoring required. Methods, Results and Conclusions In this review, we highlight both the currently available and novel diagnostic and interventional circulating biomarkers under investigation for NASH, underscoring their accuracy and limitations relevant to our patient population and current clinical practice.