Document Detail


Nonalcoholic fatty liver in Asia: Firmly entrenched and rapidly gaining ground.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21199528     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an important chronic liver disorder in Asia. Prevalence figures show regional variations but at least 10% of the general population in Asia have fatty liver. Fatty liver can develop with relatively small changes in weight (2-3 kg), often with increasing central adiposity. The metabolic syndrome may precede or follow NAFLD. Overt diabetes is present in one-third of cases but when oral glucose tolerance tests are performed, a further third of individuals have impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. Natural history data are still scarce but cases of advanced hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are now regularly reported. Many cases of cryptogenic cirrhosis are also attributable to NAFLD. Histological progression has been demonstrated for patients with NASH as well as for those with hepatic steatosis alone. Genetic factors may in part contribute to the rise in NAFLD. Polymorphisms within apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) gene have been linked to NAFLD in lean Indian men. Although a number of other polymorphisms involving genes controlling adipose distribution, insulin signalling, adipokine responses and hepatic fibrosis have been reported, these studies have been underpowered. Transient elastography could help in detecting and monitoring hepatic fibrosis but further refinements in technique are necessary for obese individuals. Of the biomarkers, hyaluronic acid and cytokeratin-18 fragment testing show promise as markers of hepatic fibrosis and NASH, respectively. Lifestyle alterations including dietary changes and increased physical activity remain the cornerstone of management. Attention should be paid to prevention through public education of campaigns addressing the increase in both adult and childhood obesity.
Authors:
Shivakumar Chitturi; Vincent Wai-Sun Wong; Geoff Farrell
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology     Volume:  26 Suppl 1     ISSN:  1440-1746     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol.     Publication Date:  2011 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-01-04     Completed Date:  2011-04-18     Revised Date:  2011-12-06    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8607909     Medline TA:  J Gastroenterol Hepatol     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  163-72     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
© 2011 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
Affiliation:
The Canberra Hospital, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. shiv.chitturi@act.gov.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Asia / epidemiology
Asian Continental Ancestry Group / genetics
Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
Disease Progression
Fatty Liver* / diagnosis,  epidemiology,  ethnology,  genetics,  therapy
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Hepatitis B, Chronic / epidemiology
Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology
Humans
Insulin Resistance / ethnology
Metabolic Syndrome X / epidemiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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