Scientists from Boston University give the best advice for diagnosing and managing fatty liver disease in lean people.
The research is published in Gastroenterology and was conducted by Michelle T. Long et al.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is well recognized as a leading cause of chronic liver disease, affecting more than 25 percent of the U.S. and global population.
One in four individuals with NAFLD has nonalcoholic steatohepatitis—a type of liver disease in which fat builds up in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol.
It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to complications of liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation (deterioration of liver function), and liver cancer.
Although NAFLD is observed predominantly in persons with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes, an estimated seven to 20 percent of individuals with NAFLD have a lean body build.
In the study, researchers compiled a clinical practice update where they provide best practice advice on how to diagnose and manage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among lean people.
Among the 15 best practice advice statements are:
Lean NAFLD should be diagnosed in individuals with NAFLD and a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 (non-Asian race) or a BMI <23 kg/m2 (Asian race).
Lean people with NAFLD should be evaluated for comorbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol), and high blood pressure.
Lean people with NAFLD should be risk categorized for hepatic fibrosis (excessive connective tissue in the liver) to identify those with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Lean people in the general population should not undergo routine screening for NAFLD; however, screening should be considered for individuals over the age of 40 with type 2 diabetes.
According to the researchers, it is difficult to identify those with NAFLD who are at the highest risk of disease progression.
About 10 percent of those with NAFLD are lean and traditionally this group has been even more difficult to diagnose as the condition often goes unrecognized.
If you care about liver diseases, please read studies about green diet that could strongly lower non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and this seaweed may prevent obesity, and fatty liver disease.
For more information about fatty livers, please see recent studies that aerobic exercise could have the final say on fatty livers, and results showing a new therapy for fatty liver disease.
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