Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Vascular Disease.

Commentary

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) represents an increasing cause of liver disease worldwide. However, notably, the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with NAFLD is cardiovascular disease (CVD), with fibrosis stage being the strongest disease-specific predictor. Within the next few years, NAFLD will contribute considerably to the overall CVD burden.

In their review, R. Forlano et al. (Imperial College London, Liver Unit/Division of Integrative Systems Medicine and Digestive Disease, Department of Surgery and Cancer. United Kingdom) discuss the role of NAFLD as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. Pathological drivers of vascular damage in patients with NAFLD are reviewed, as well as the impact of NAFLD on the development, severity and the progression cardiovascular disease.