Review paper
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – a diagnostic and therapeutic problem

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most frequent cause of chronic damage of this organ worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of fatty infiltration in hepatocytes in a patient consuming less than 20 γ of alcohol daily, without any other known causes of hepatic steatosis. The clinical observations show a strong relationship between NAFLD and different cardiometabolic risk factors as well as increased cardiovascular death rate. Liver steatosis triggers inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis – NASH) as well as the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Liver biopsy is considered the “gold standard” in the diagnosis of this pathology. However, ultrasonography is the most frequently used in general practice. No standard NAFLD treatment has been defined so far. The current management of NAFLD focuses on insulin resistance and associated disorders. Regarding the high prevalence of this pathology, there are still many therapeutic methods under investigation.