NAFLD and NASH: Asian perspective.

ABSTRACT

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) may be the most common form of chronic liver disease in USA, Australia, Asia and Europe. NAFLD is seen in around 10-30% of the population in Asian pacific region. NAFLD is a common cause of chronic liver disease especially in diabetics. Diabetes, central obesity, obesity and dyslipidemia are common predisposing factors for NAFLD. Insulin resistance is seen in around 80% of patients with NAFLD. Although NAFLD has not been included as a component of the metabolic syndrome as it has been defined, available data indicate that the onset of NAFLD is an early event in the development of insulin resistance and might thus predict the presence or future development of the metabolic syndrome. Increasing incidence of NAFLD has been well documented from studies in Japan and China. Almost all countries in Asian Pacific region have reported increased incidence of diabetes, obesity, central obesity and insulin resistance.