[Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis--a new epidemic].
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the metabolic syndrome of the liver, characterised by the consequences of obesity (insulin resistance, production of free radicals, chronic inflammation) has become a new epidemic in the United States as in Europe. Diagnosis is suspected in patients with obesity, denying alcohol abuse, having typical co-morbitities (Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Hyperlipidemia). Liver histology confirms the diagnosis of NASH. Fatty liver without inflammation bears a good prognosis. Liver fibrosis, however, in NASH patients signalizes progression to liver cirrhosis and even HCC. Treatment modalities are limited. Reduction of body weight, physical activity, treatment of co-morbitities, specially Hypertension and Diabetes are of paramount importance. At the moment it remains unclear whether glitazone treatment could be introduced in the therapeutic armentarium.
Leberzentrum Klinikum Esslingen, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Tübingen, Hirschlandstrasse 97 D-73730 Esslingen. kp.maier@kliniken-es.de
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D000818:Animals; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha