Noninvasive Prediction of Esophageal Varices by Stiffness and Platelet in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Cirrhosis

The pandemic spreading of obesity and diabetes makes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) the growing most common cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis [1], an increasing risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma [2], and the emerging indication for liver transplantation [3]. Consistent with these data the management of patients with NAFLD-related cirrhosis represents a challenge in terms of epidemiological, clinical and economical burden. In this complex picture, the diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) and especially large (grade 2/3) EV requiring primary prophylaxis (varices needing treatment, VNT), is of paramount prognostic importance in all patients with cirrhosis including those with NAFLD [4,5].

Source: Journal of Hepatology - May 23, 2018 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Salvatore Petta, Giada Sebastiani, Elisabetta Bugianesi, Mauro Vigan ò, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Annalisa Berzigotti, Anna Ludovica Fracanzani, Quentin M. Anstee, Fabio Marra, Marco Barbara, Vincenza Calvaruso, Calogero Cammà, Vito Di Marco, Antonio Craxì Source Type: research