Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Global Impact and Clinical Consequences

Abstract

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the potentially progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD and NASH are very common in most regions of the world and are on trajectory to become the most common liver disease at a global scale. Risk for high prevalence and progressiveness include visceral obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The conundrum of NAFLD is related to the rapid increase in its global burden with very low awareness among most general providers, as well as a lack of widespread availability of fully validated non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tests and limited treatment options. Currently, lifestyle modification with diet and exercise are the best options. A large number of clinical trials are being developed to provide drug therapeutic options with patients with NASH and moderate to advanced fibrosis.