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Review
. 2021 Feb 28;9(1):71-80.
doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2020.00082. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Diversity in NAFLD: A Review of Manifestations of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Different Ethnicities Globally

Ma Ai Thanda Han  1 , Qi Yu  1 , Zaid Tafesh  1 , Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos  1
Affiliations
Review

Diversity in NAFLD: A Review of Manifestations of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Different Ethnicities Globally

Ma Ai Thanda Han et al. J Clin Transl Hepatol. .

Abstract

Globally, the rise in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome as a whole has been linked to increased access to processed foods, such as refined sugars and saturated fats. Consequently, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise in both developed and developing nations. However, much is still unknown on the NAFLD phenotype with regards to the effect of ethnic diversity. Despite similarities in dietary habits, it appears that certain ethnicities are more protected against NAFLD than others. However, manifestations of the same genetic polymorphisms in different groups of people increase those individuals' predisposition to NAFLD. Diets from different regions have been associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD and have even been linked to regression of hepatic steatosis. Socioeconomic variations amongst different regions of the world also contribute to NAFLD prevalence and associated complications. Thus, a thorough understanding of ethnic variability in NAFLD is essential to tailoring treatment recommendations to patients of different backgrounds.

Keywords: Body mass index; Diversity; Ethnicity; Lean; Nonalcoholic fatty liver; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interests related to this publication.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Prevalence of NAFLD by geographical regions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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