Abstract
The increase in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ( NAFLD ) and the imminent disappearance
of chronic viral hepatitis thanks to new and effective therapies is motivating
hepatologists to change their clinical approach to chronic liver disease. NAFLD – cirrhosis
or NAFLD – Hepatocellular Carcinoma ( HCC ) are now the second cause of liver transplanta
tion in the USA . This short- review is focused to the epidemiology of NAFLD /
Non-alchoholic Steatohepatitis ( NASH ), including the definition of this disease which
should be revised as well discussing the prevalence, risk factors for progression, natural
history and mortality. NAFLD is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic
syndrome ( MS ). It affects 25- 30% of the general population and the risk factors
are almost identical to those of MS . The natural history involves either the development
of cardiovascular diseases or cirrhosis and HCC . HCC can also develop in NASH
in the absence of cirrhosis (45% of cases). We conclude that an international consensus
conference on the definition, natural history, policies of surveillance and new pharmacological
treatments of NAFLD and NASH is urgently needed.
K E Y W O R D S
cirrhosis , epidemiology , hepatocellular carcinoma , non-alcoholic fatty liver disease , non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis
