title: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
abstract: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a liver disease that, until recently, has been underrecognized as a common cause of elevated liver enzymes. This distinct clinical entity is characterized by liver biopsy findings similar to those seen in alcoholic hepatitis but in the absence of alcohol consumption sufficient to cause such changes. Patients with NASH are often middle-aged and obese, with coexisting diabetes or hyperlipidemia, but NASH also occurs in younger lean, otherwise healthy individuals and even in children. Although NASH is generally a benign disorder, it may be progressive, leading to cirrhosis and complications of portal hypertension. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Therapy for NASH remains poorly defined, although weight reduction and ursodeoxycholic acid may have a beneficial effect.
authors.affiliation: Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75390-9151, USA.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Malet
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid