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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in A sia: A story of growth
Author(s) -
Wong Vincent WaiSun
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.12011
Subject(s) - medicine , cirrhosis , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , metabolic syndrome , population , liver biopsy , transient elastography , fatty liver , gastroenterology , steatohepatitis , chronic liver disease , disease , liver disease , hepatocellular carcinoma , fibrosis , biopsy , liver fibrosis , environmental health , obesity
Ten years ago, few if any researchers in A sia showed interest in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ). Today, NAFLD is increasingly recognized as a major chronic liver disease not only in W estern countries but also in A sia. Its importance is exemplified by its high prevalence, disease progression, and association with major medical disorders. In A sia, 15–30% of the general adult population suffers from NAFLD . In patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, the reported prevalence is typically over 50%. Patients with the active form of NAFLD , namely steatohepatitis ( NASH ), may have fibrosis progression and eventually develop cirrhosis. Patients with NASH ‐related cirrhosis have similar mortality to those with other causes of cirrhosis, and they have a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma up to 2–3% per year. In addition, NAFLD patients have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and colorectal neoplasm. One major challenge for practicing clinicians is how to identify patients with significant liver disease among many who are found to have NAFLD . While liver biopsy is traditionally considered the gold standard for disease staging, it is invasive and unpleasant, and is an impractical tool for a disease that affects a quarter of the general population. To this end, new developments in transient elastography and biomarkers such as cytokeratin‐18 fragments can help exclude significant liver fibrosis and NASH , respectively. This article summarizes a young researcher's journey through this exciting area of research and what he has learned from amazing people all around the world.