Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a multidisciplinary approach towards a cardiometabolic liver disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health p roblem with a global prevalence of over 25% and prevalence rates of over 60% in high-risk populations. It is co nsidered the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with an increased risk of the develo pment of various liver-associated and cardiometabolic complications. Given the complexity of NAFLD and associated com orbidities and complications, treatment requires interventions from a variety of different healthcare specialties . However, many clinicians are currently insufficiently aware of the potential harm and severity of NAFLD and associate d comorbidities, complications and the steps that should be taken when NAFLD is suspected. Recognizing which pati ents suffer from non-progressive simple steatosis, metabolically active NASH with high risk of developing cardiova scular disease and which patients have a high risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is important. Unfortunately, this can be difficult and guidelines towards the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic approach are amb ivalent. Here we review the pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment of NAFLD and discuss how multidiscipl inary care path development could move forward.