Fatty Liver Disease: Nonalcoholic

Course overview

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a widespread prevalence in the U.S., with incidence rates increasing in parallel with the rise in obesity rates (Sharma & John, 2021b). Treatment for NAFLD is distinct from other types of chronic liver disease in that the primary therapy is lifestyle modification with an emphasis on weight loss. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any pharmacological treatments for NAFLD, but some medications have led to improvements in cardiometabolic comorbidities. Many cases of early-stage NAFLD will go undiagnosed due to a lack of screening, but disease progression can be prevented if found early. This course will review the risk factors for developing NAFLD and best practices for the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of the disease.