Burden of Disease due to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common liver disease in both Western populations and other parts of the world. This review discusses the prevalence and incidence of NAFLD in various regions around the world. The methodology used to identify the epidemiology and classify the stages of the disease is described. The impact of the disease on individuals, looking at both liver-related and extrahepatic consequences of the disease, is then discussed. Finally, the economic and societal impact of the disease is discussed.

Keywords: Burden of disease; Epidemiology; Incidence; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); Prevalence.