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Screening for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Current Practice

  • Fatty Liver Disease (D Halegoua-De Marzio, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

NAFLD is highly prevalent in the global population and is underdiagnosed in current practice. The lack of standardized screening protocols, increasing risk factors for NAFLD, and limited treatment options contribute to the late identification of disease often in advanced forms. The purpose of this review is to discuss the trajectory of current screening strategies.

Recent Findings

Predictive scoring tools and imaging can aid in leading to a diagnosis of NAFLD. These complementary modalities can be used to avoid liver biopsy. These may have a greater role in the future for NAFLD screening.

Summary

The risk of delayed diagnosis of NAFLD is the progression to advanced forms of the disease. NAFLD can cause end-stage liver disease leading to diminished quality of life for affected patients and increasing health care costs. Standardized NAFLD screening might lead to earlier identification of disease, when modifiable risk factors can be addressed and disease progression can be halted.

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1501 N Cedar Crest Blvd Suite 110, Allentown, PA, 18104-2309, USA

    Margaret Spinosa & She-Yan Wong

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  1. Margaret Spinosa
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Correspondence to She-Yan Wong.

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Spinosa, M., Wong, SY. Screening for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Current Practice. Curr Hepatology Rep 20, 128–134 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-021-00577-7

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