Gastro Flash
Gastro Flash 2019 › Gastro Flash Vol-5, No-2, 2019

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Cholelithiasis, and Cholecystectomy: Insights on a Complex Association

non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one the most prevalent liver disorders worldwide. NAFLD refers to the significant fat accumulation of hepatocytes in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption or other causes of liver disease. NAFLD encompasses a wide spectrum of liver conditions which range from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Available data suggests highly variable rates of NAFLD prevalence in the general population, with results ranging from 14% to 40%.1,2 NAFLD has been associated with an increased risk of death from malignancy or cardiovascular disease. When individuals present with the features of metabolic syndrome, such as overweight/ obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, it is reasonable to envisage the possibility of NAFLD. In fact, NAFLD is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, ethnicity, obesity phenotype, reduced physical activity, and high-fat diets also act as significant risk factors for NAFLD