Med. Pro Praxi 2009; 6(4): 187-190

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Why to consider it?

MUDr. Dagmar Jackuliaková, prof. MUDr. Helena Vaverková CSc, prof. MUDr. Vlastimil Ščudla CSc

III. interní klinika FN a LF UP Olomouc

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is worldwide the most common cause of chronic elevation of liver enzymes diagnosed by anamnesis

excluding abuse of alcohol (resp. when daily alcohol consumption do not exceed 20 g). It is necessary to exclude another cause

of liver disease. NAFLD is a clinicopathological term that encompasses a disease spectrum ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to

steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, which may progress to liver failure or to develop to hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is often

associated with insulin resistance and symptoms of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD reflects the coexistence of various cardiovascular risk

factors and shows the higher cardiovascular risk. Complex intervention of risk factors can prevent from the development of NAFLD.

Keywords: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk.

Published: September 1, 2009  Show citation