| Theme |
Liver Fibrosis : Beyond the Diagnosis |
| Title |
Questioning Significance of Link between Hepatic Fibrosis and NASH |
| Author |
Yoshio Sumida |
Division of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University / Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG-NAFLD), Department of Research and Development, Japan Strategic Medical Administration Research Center (J-SMARC) |
| Author |
Masafumi Ono |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kochi University School of Medicine / Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG-NAFLD), Department of Research and Development, Japan Strategic Medical Administration Research Center (J-SMARC) |
| Author |
Hideki Fujii |
Department of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Osaka City University School of Medicine / Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG-NAFLD), Department of Research and Development, Japan Strategic Medical Administration Research Center (J-SMARC) |
| Author |
Katsutosi Tokushige |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Women University School of Medicine / Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG-NAFLD), Department of Research and Development, Japan Strategic Medical Administration Research Center (J-SMARC) |
| Author |
Atsushi Nakajima |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine / Japan Study Group of NAFLD (JSG-NAFLD), Department of Research and Development, Japan Strategic Medical Administration Research Center (J-SMARC) |
| Author |
Masashi Yoneda |
Division of Hepatology and Pancreatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
Since the incidence of lifestyle related diseases such as obesity and diabetes are now increasing, NASH is has become the most important causal issue for HCC and hepatic failure. The leading cause of death related to NASH is cardiovascular (CV) events, followed by extrahepatic cancer, and liver related diseases. A recent meta-analysis shows that liver fibrosis is the most significant predictor of not only liver related death but also CV events and extrahepatic cancer. Although liver biopsy is currently the gold standard for diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis, noninvasive methods have been established to assess liver fibrosis, including scoring systems including the fibrosis-4 index and NAFLD fibrosis scores as well as imaging modalities such as ultrasonographic elastography and magnetic resonance elastography. It is expected that innovative drugs being developed for ameliorating liver fibrosis related to NASH may improve prognosis of patients with NASH. |