Published in:
01-12-2017 | Fatty Liver Disease (S Harrison and J George, Section Editors)
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Non-obese Patients
Authors:
Christopher J. Schmoyer, Mohammad S. Siddiqui
Published in:
Current Hepatology Reports
|
Issue 4/2017
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has quickly become the most common cause of liver disease. Interestingly, a cohort of patients has been identified with NAFLD who are of a normal body mass index. This review focuses on the current understanding of NAFLD among non-obese individuals.
Recent Findings
Advances in understanding the risk factors for non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its link to visceral adiposity have increased our knowledge of this disease. Also, preliminary data notes an association with alterations in the gut microbiota and the effect of dietary habits on fatty liver disease in the non-obese population.
Summary
Non-obese NAFLD is a pervasive and likely underdiagnosed entity that seems to have similar risk factors and characteristics to fatty liver disease in the obese population. Still, non-obese NAFLD remains poorly understood.