Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is part of a multisystem disease, and is regarded as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is a disease with clinically heterogeneous manifestations, and patients with NAFLD have been associated with an increased risk of liver-related, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality. Additionally, a subset of patients with NAFLD will go on to develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterised by hepatic steatosis and evidence of inflammation and hepatocyte fibrosis. Owing to the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes mellitus, NASH is currently a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is a rapidly growing indication of liver transplantation. On a societal level, NAFLD is associated with significant healthcare costs and reduced quality of life, and its impacts on healthcare are expected to further increase in line with the global obesity epidemic.
In view of the immense disease burden of NAFLD, there exist reasons to better understand its pathogenesis and the subsequent treatment plans so as to address the associated epidemiological health concerns. In particular, research in the field of diagnostics for NAFLD and NASH might prove promising. While the degree of scarring in patients with NASH can be accurately determined with liver biopsies, the use of non-invasive tests is promising as it potentially allows for widened screening and early detection of NASH in high-risk patients. Additionally, treatment options for NAFLD and NASH remains a significant area of interest, with several randomised control trials reaching maturity in recent years, although further investigation is required to determine the long-term efficacy of treatment options
We are particularly interested in studies relating to diagnostics of NAFLD and/ or NASH, as well as treatment of the related complications and the underlying disease. Furthermore, we are interested in studies on the systemic complications of NAFLD, including its effects on the liver-heart axis, and other components of metabolic syndrome. Studies relating to the impact of NAFLD on public health, including healthcare costs and quality of life, and how inequality in terms of race, gender, or income might affect healthcare distribution in patients with NASH are of great interest. All study types are welcome, including but not limited to studies from observational data, meta-analysis, or case reports/case series.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is part of a multisystem disease, and is regarded as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is a disease with clinically heterogeneous manifestations, and patients with NAFLD have been associated with an increased risk of liver-related, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality. Additionally, a subset of patients with NAFLD will go on to develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterised by hepatic steatosis and evidence of inflammation and hepatocyte fibrosis. Owing to the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes mellitus, NASH is currently a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is a rapidly growing indication of liver transplantation. On a societal level, NAFLD is associated with significant healthcare costs and reduced quality of life, and its impacts on healthcare are expected to further increase in line with the global obesity epidemic.
In view of the immense disease burden of NAFLD, there exist reasons to better understand its pathogenesis and the subsequent treatment plans so as to address the associated epidemiological health concerns. In particular, research in the field of diagnostics for NAFLD and NASH might prove promising. While the degree of scarring in patients with NASH can be accurately determined with liver biopsies, the use of non-invasive tests is promising as it potentially allows for widened screening and early detection of NASH in high-risk patients. Additionally, treatment options for NAFLD and NASH remains a significant area of interest, with several randomised control trials reaching maturity in recent years, although further investigation is required to determine the long-term efficacy of treatment options
We are particularly interested in studies relating to diagnostics of NAFLD and/ or NASH, as well as treatment of the related complications and the underlying disease. Furthermore, we are interested in studies on the systemic complications of NAFLD, including its effects on the liver-heart axis, and other components of metabolic syndrome. Studies relating to the impact of NAFLD on public health, including healthcare costs and quality of life, and how inequality in terms of race, gender, or income might affect healthcare distribution in patients with NASH are of great interest. All study types are welcome, including but not limited to studies from observational data, meta-analysis, or case reports/case series.