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Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Current Global Burden
Mohamed El-Kassas1, Joaquín Cabezas2,3, Paula Iruzubieta Coz2,3
1Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, driven by obesity and diabetes epidemics. Addressing metabolic risk factors and raising awareness are crucial to manage its growing health and economic burden.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Chronic liver diseases' global burden is shifting, with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) emerging as the most prevalent cause.
- NAFLD prevalence is rising concurrently with global epidemics of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- The economic impact of NAFLD, including hospitalization costs and liver transplantation, is substantial and increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the global disease burden of NAFLD.
- To identify modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with NAFLD.
- To summarize current preventive strategies for NAFLD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of global data on NAFLD incidence and prevalence.
- Analysis of risk factors contributing to NAFLD development and progression.
- Synthesis of existing preventive measures and public health recommendations.
Main Results:
- NAFLD is the most common liver disease worldwide, linked to significant healthcare expenditures.
- Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are key drivers of the NAFLD epidemic.
- Long-term healthcare costs for NAFLD patients surpass those for other liver diseases.
Conclusions:
- Urgent global action is needed to increase NAFLD awareness and manage associated metabolic risk factors.
- Effective prevention strategies are essential to mitigate the escalating burden of NAFLD.
- Understanding NAFLD's epidemiology and risk factors is critical for public health interventions.
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