Screening for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Current Practice

AbstractPurpose of ReviewNAFLD is highly prevalent in the global population and is underdiagnosed in current practice. The lack of standardized screening protocols, increasing risk factors for NAFLD, and limited treatment options contribute to the late identification of disease often in advanced forms. The purpose of this review is to discuss the trajectory of current screening strategies.Recent FindingsPredictive scoring tools and imaging can aid in leading to a diagnosis of NAFLD. These complementary modalities can be used to avoid liver biopsy. These may have a greater role in the future for NAFLD screening.SummaryThe risk of delayed diagnosis of NAFLD is the progression to advanced forms of the disease. NAFLD can cause end-stage liver disease leading to diminished quality of life for affected patients and increasing health care costs. Standardized NAFLD screening might lead to earlier identification of disease, when modifiable risk factors can be addressed and disease progression can be halted.
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research