Understanding the association between developing a fatty liver and subsequent cardio-metabolic complications

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries and is also predicted to become the most frequent indication for liver transplantation by 2030. In the last decade, it has become evident that the clinical burden of NAFLD is not restricted to liver-related morbidity or mortality, but there is now compelling evidence that NAFLD is a multisystem disease, affecting many extra-hepatic organs. In this article, we discuss the evidence linking NAFLD with important cardiometabolic complications (mainly Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease) and the putative underlying mechanisms by which NAFLD may contribute to the development of these complications.

Keywords:

• cardiovascular disease
• metabolic syndrome
• NAFLD
• NASH
• Type 2 diabetes

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.