Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The New Complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with an estimated prevalence of 60% to 80%. The relationship of NAFLD and T2DM is complex, with each condition negatively affecting the other. Although NAFLD is associated with more metabolic and cardiovascular complications and worse hyperglycemia, T2DM accelerates the progression of liver disease in NAFLD. Despite the high prevalence and serious clinical implications, NAFLD is usually overlooked in clinical practice. This article focuses on understanding the relationship between NAFLD and T2DM, to provide better care for these complex patients.

Keywords: Diabetes; Insulin resistance; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); Obesity; Pioglitazone; Thiazolidinediones.