The term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as hepatic steatosis (hepatic = liver, steatosis = fat), comprises a range of liver conditions where there is excess of fat in liver but without history of significant alcohol intake.
When heptic steatosis is associated with inflammation, it is called steatohepatitis(NASH). While steatosis is considered to be a mild problem and does not progress into serious disease, steatohepatitis is more likely to develop into complications of fibrosis and cirrhosis which can be serious, even fatal.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is quite common and its incidence is increasing globally. It is commonly associated with those having metabolic syndrome and are possibly insulin resistant. These patients usually have type 2 diabetes, dyslipedemia (abnormal amount of lipids such as triglycerides, cholesterol and/or fat phospholipids in the blood) and hypertension and are obese. As India is the world capital of diabetes, NASH is also being seen in high proportion and is increasing every day. This has become a major reason behind liver cirrhosis in our country.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can occur in any age but those in their forties and fifties are at more risk of having it. These are the people who are also in high-risk zone of having heart disease because of risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
