Ong Janus P, Younossi Zobair M
Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3289 Woodburn Road, Annadale, VA 22003, USA.
Clin Liver Dis. 2007 Feb;11(1):1-16, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2007.02.009.
Understanding of the epidemiology and natural history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased; it is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the Western world and increasing in importance in other parts of the world. Prevalence is expected to increase as obesity and diabetes epidemics evolve. The natural history of NAFLD depends on the histologic subtype. Those who have simple hepatic steatosis or nonspecific inflammation generally have a benign long-term prognosis, whereas non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to cirrhosis. NASH-related cirrhosis may have a similar prognosis as cirrhosis from other causes, leading to liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma.
对非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）的流行病学和自然史的认识有所增加；它是西方世界最常见的慢性肝病形式，在世界其他地区的重要性也日益增加。随着肥胖症和糖尿病流行情况的演变，预计其患病率将会上升。NAFLD的自然史取决于组织学亚型。那些患有单纯性肝脂肪变性或非特异性炎症的患者通常具有良好的长期预后，而非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）则可能进展为肝硬化。与NASH相关的肝硬化可能与其他原因导致的肝硬化具有相似的预后，会导致肝衰竭或肝细胞癌。
