National and Global Ethnicity Differences in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

AbstractPurpose of ReviewNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains a leading cause of chronic liver disease and a growing public health concern. This review aims to examine the reported national and international ethnicity differences in NAFLD.Recent FindingsPrior studies have shown that Latino populations were disproportionately affected by both NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the USA compared to non-Latino White populations. Black and Asian Americans are reported to have a lower prevalence of NAFLD. Contributing factors for ethnic disparities may include socioeconomic factors, body fat distribution trends, genetic factors, and prevalence of associated disease states.SummaryEthnic differences in NAFLD have been identified in the USA and internationally. The Latino population seems to have the highest prevalence of NAFLD in the USA, but ethnicity-related differences in disease characteristics and outcomes have yet to be fully elucidated.
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research