Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an increasingly common cause of liver disease among HIV-infected persons?

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly recognized condition in the general population worldwide. Although data on the prevalence of NAFLD among HIV-infected persons are currently limited, this clinical entity may be a common cause of liver disease in this group. A case of liver dysfunction due to NAFLD in an HIV-infected patient is presented along with a review of the literature on NAFLD in the setting of HIV infection. This case highlights the possibility of increased risk of NAFLD among persons infected with HIV. More research is needed to explore the link between HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy and its associated metabolic effects, and the development of hepatic steatosis.