Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2005; 9 (5): 253-259

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: defining a common problem

G. Gasbarrini, V. Vero, L. Miele, A. Forgione, A.P. Hernandez, A.V. Greco, A. Gasbarrini, A. Grieco

Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart – Rome (Italy)


Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), with prevalence of 10-51% in general population involving all ages, is the major cause of elevation of ALT and a common finding by ultrasound screening and may range from simple steatosis, to Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and its clinical consequences as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review will be analyse factors influencing the onset of the disease.
NAFLD, primarly associated with insulin resistance, is in fact considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome: a cluster of disorder that includes obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, arteriosclerosis and hypertension. The increased incidence and prevalence of obesity and diabetes may explain growing interest in NAFLD. Racial, ethnic, enviromental and behaviour models are also reviewed.

To cite this article

G. Gasbarrini, V. Vero, L. Miele, A. Forgione, A.P. Hernandez, A.V. Greco, A. Gasbarrini, A. Grieco
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: defining a common problem

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci
Year: 2005
Vol. 9 - N. 5
Pages: 253-259