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Debate: A bridge too far—liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis will overwhelm the organ supply
Author(s) -
Heimbach Julie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.23980
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , context (archaeology) , transplantation , overweight , body mass index , organ donation , liver disease , organ transplantation , nonalcoholic steatohepatitis , obesity , intensive care medicine , disease , pediatrics , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , gerontology , surgery , fatty liver , paleontology , biology
The obesity epidemic is one of the greatest health challenges currently facing the general population, and it will have a major impact on LT because of the associated rise in the incidence of NASH and NASH-related HCC. There is already a severe shortage of available liver allografts, which will be exacerbated by an increased demand for LT with the rising incidence of obesity-related liver disease. Because the obesity crisis also impacts the availability of suitable living and deceased organ donors, the impact will be far more significant. Research and public health initiatives aimed at further elucidating and counteracting obesity in both adults and especially children is paramount.