DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Hepatologic Disease

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

MODERATE

Progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by liver inflammation and damage in people who drink little or no alcohol. Can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Global Affected

120.0M

Countries

89

Symptoms

Often asymptomatic
Fatigue
Right upper abdominal pain
Weight loss
Weakness
Confusion (advanced)
Swelling (advanced)
Jaundice (advanced)

Treatment Options

Weight loss (diet/exercise)
Resmetirom (thyroid hormone analog)
Vitamin E (non-diabetic)
Pioglitazone
GLP-1 agonists
Bariatric surgery
Liver transplant
Diabetes management
Lipid management

Risk Factors

1Obesity (BMI >30)
2Type 2 diabetes
3Insulin resistance
4Metabolic syndrome
5High triglycerides
6Polycystic ovary syndrome
7Hypothyroidism
8Obstructive sleep apnea
9Age >50
10Hispanic ethnicity

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Liver enzymes (ALT/AST)
  • 2Ultrasound (fatty liver)
  • 3FibroScan
  • 4MRI-PDFF
  • 5Liver biopsy (gold standard for NASH)
  • 6NAFLD fibrosis score
  • 7FIB-4 score

Prognosis

Variable. Simple steatosis has good prognosis. NASH with fibrosis can progress. 20% of NASH develop cirrhosis over 20 years. Liver cancer risk increased even without cirrhosis.

Prevention

  • Maintain healthy weight
  • Regular exercise
  • Healthy diet (Mediterranean)
  • Limit sugar/refined carbs
  • Diabetes prevention/management
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Regular health screenings

Research Status

Weight loss (7-10%) is only proven therapy. Vitamin E (non-diabetic). Pioglitazone. Resmetirom recently FDA approved. Many drugs in pipeline. No alcohol. Manage diabetes, lipids, blood pressure. Liver transplant for end-stage.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis
  • https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis-nash
  • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafld-nash

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.