Preparing for the NASH Epidemic: A Call to Action.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Gastroenterology
• Public Health
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represent a significant and increasing global health burden.
• Current clinical practice reveals substantial discrepancies compared to established management guidelines for NAFLD and NASH.
• A lack of a unified global strategy complicates the effective management of these prevalent liver conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address management gaps in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• To develop a comprehensive, unified international strategy for NAFLD/NASH care.
• To identify key areas for future clinical research and public health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• An international conference convened 32 experts from gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology, and primary care.
• Discussions were informed by a national NASH Needs Assessment Survey and a review of global literature.
• Expert consensus was reached on screening, risk stratification, diagnosis, and management strategies.

Main Results:

• Identified promising approaches to bridge the gap between NAFLD/NASH guidelines and clinical practice.
• Developed a unified strategy for comprehensive NAFLD/NASH care for primary care providers and specialists.
• Pinpointed high-yield targets for clinical research and advocated for a global public health response.

Conclusions:

• A unified international strategy is crucial for optimizing the management of NAFLD and NASH.
• Addressing management gaps requires collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and public health bodies.
• Further research and a coordinated global approach are essential to combat the rising burden of NAFLD and NASH.