User:Mr. Ibrahem/Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is excessive fat build-up in the liver without another clear cause such as alcohol use. There are two types; non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with the latter also including liver inflammation. NAFL is less dangerous than NASH and usually does not progress to NASH or liver cirrhosis. When NASH does occur, it may lead to complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. Both types are associated with cardiovascular disease.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are the strongest risk factors. Other risks include being overweight, abnormal blood lipids, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abdominal obesity; a group of symptoms known as metabolic syndrome. Diagnosis may be based on medical imaging or obtaining a sample of the liver after excluding other potential causes of fatty liver.

Treatment of NAFLD is by gradual weight loss brought about by dietary changes and exercise. While there is no strong evidence for any medication, there is tentative support for pioglitazone and vitamin E. Bariatric surgery can improve or resolve severe cases. As of 2017 NASH was the second most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States. Those with NAFLD have a 1.2% risk of dying per year, while in those with NASH the risk is 2.6%. It is also the leading cause of chronic liver disease in Europe and the US.

NAFLD is the most common liver disorder worldwide, affecting approximately 25% of the population. Rates are about 32% in the Middle East, 30% in South America, 27% in Asia, 24% in North America and Europe, and 13% in Africa. Rates are greater than 90% in those who are very obese, more than 60% in those with type 2 diabetes, and up to 20% in those who are normal-weight. Rates in children are as high as 10%. NASH affects about 4% of the global population. NAFLD becomes more common with age. NAFLD was first described in 1980. The economic cost per year was estimated at US$103 billion in the US in 2016.