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Original Article
Year: 2024 I Volume: 6 I Issue: 3I Pages I 1-15

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Literature Review of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnostic approaches

Ayman Jaaouani1, Nahlah Al Srouji1, Stefan-Lucian Popa1*, Abdulrahman Ismaiel1

1  2nd Department of Internal Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

* Corresponding Author:

Stefan-Lucian Popa, MD, PhD

Email address: popa.stefan@umfcluj.ro  

Source of funding:  None to declare

Conflict of interest: None

Submission date: 16 March 2024

Acceptance date:  27 May 2024

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Key words: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Pathophysiology.

Abstract:

This literature review provides an in-depth analysis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common metabolic condition that affects a worldwide population. This review outlines the disease's scope, epidemiological trends, pathophysiology, non-invasive diagnostic criteria, and approaches. NAFLD presents as continuum of hepatic conditions ranging from mild steatosis to more serious illnesses such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. A combination of clinical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging methods are used to make a diagnosis, with a liver biopsy serving as the confirmed gold standard for both diagnosis and disease severity assessment. Because of the intricacy and multifaceted etiology of NAFLD, successful diagnosis, treatment, and prevention need a multidisciplinary approach.

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