| Theme |
Non-B, Non-C Hepatitis |
| Title |
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), a Novel Chronic Liver Disease |
| Author |
Rei Aono |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| Author |
Hiroshi Sakaeda |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| Author |
Toshiji Saibara |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University |
| [ Summary ] |
Obesity has become an important issue concerning public health in Japan over the past three decades. It is regarded as a causative factor involved in metabolic syndrome including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and fatty liver. The body mass index exceeds 30 in over 3 % of the general population in Japan. Over three quarters of that 3 % have fatty liver complications. In fact, 8 % of adults in Japan, suffer from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a novel disease entity, which has very recently been recognized nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most progressive form of NAFLD. However, 99 % of NASH patients are not recognized since very few physicians are accustomed to seeing this disease. Insulin resistance is the most important factor in recognizing NAFLD and NASH. Therefore, we need to keep these diseases in mind when treating patients suffering from metabolic syndromes. |