Roohealthcare.com – The cause of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is still unknown. However, there are several treatment options that may help treat this disease. A multicentre randomized placebo-controlled trial called FLINT was conducted to investigate the effects of statins on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Its authors conclude that the use of statins does not increase the risk of hepatotoxicity. A study by Neuschwander-Tetri BA and colleagues also found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a higher risk of mortality.
Risk Factors of Overweight and Obesity
Although drinking alcohol is a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it is not the cause of the condition. Being overweight and obese are known risk factors for this disease. If left untreated, the condition may progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or even cancer of the liver. Although alcohol use is a risk factor for NAFLD, some people may not have any symptoms.
Studies of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis showed that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease significantly increased the risk of death from extrahepatic causes. Extrahepatic causes of death in patients with ALD were bacterial infection, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Population-based studies also revealed that NAFLD was a factor in liver-related mortality. Furthermore, recent studies have found that the leading cause of death among patients with histologically proven NAFLD was cardiovascular disease.
In addition to alcohol, diet rich in fructose may increase the risk of NAFLD. Fructose is the main ingredient in high-fructose corn syrup and is closely linked to metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, certain genes are associated with increased risk of NAFLD. This may explain why some people with NAFLD develop it even without other risk factors. In addition, some races seem to develop NAFLD more often than others.
Biopsy Is A Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Treatment
The first step in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a biopsy of the liver. A biopsy requires the use of a needle to extract samples of liver tissue for further examination. The healthcare provider will then look for signs of scarring. In rare cases, a liver biopsy may be unnecessary. A physician will likely recommend treatment if a patient is not able to control their drinking.
Non-drinkers do not experience symptoms of NAFLD until it progresses to NASH. In fact, many non-drinkers do not even realize they have the disease until it’s too late. Until the damage to the liver is severe, the symptoms may go undetected. Additionally, it is linked to metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood lipid levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. This means that people with NAFLD are more likely to develop cirrhosis, a condition where their liver tissues have become thick and scarred.
In addition to genetics, ethnicity may affect the risk of developing ALD or NAFLD. In a large cross-sectional study, black non-Hispanics and Mexicans had higher rates of alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis. However, in the United States, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was higher in blacks, Mexican Americans, and Asians than among non-Hispanic Whites.
Additional Complications That Can Affect Quality of Life
Although ALD and NAFLD share many of the same risk factors, their clinical characteristics and pathophysiology are very different. In clinical practice, both diseases frequently coexist. Although the disease severity is similar, differences in risk factors and treatment options may make the diagnosis difficult to differentiate between them. However, both liver diseases are associated with additional complications that can affect the patient’s quality of life. The differences between the two diseases cannot be overlooked.
While alcohol and NAFLD are similar, alcohol consumption is often a confounding factor. Although moderate alcohol consumption may protect the liver, there is no clear threshold for safe consumption. Alcohol use has a negative effect on the progression of NAFLD. Further, alcohol consumption and obesity are linked to the development of HCC and mortality. These complications are often accompanied by a loss of appetite. The underlying cause of NAFLD is unclear.
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