title: Noninvasive Markers of Fibrosis and Inflammation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
abstract: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis are associated with elevated morbidity and mortality, and a means of differentiating these diseases from simple steatosis (SS) is needed. Liver biopsy in all patients with NAFLD is not feasible, thus necessitating a noninvasive method for discerning the presence of inflammation and fibrosis. Of the various serum markers, cytokeratin-18 seems to best predict NASH, the NAFLD Fibrosis Score is most closely correlated with fibrosis, and transient elastography can be used for diagnosis of cirrhosis, or to exclude cirrhosis, although its utility is limited by obesity.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Calgary, San Antonio, Texas.
authors: Saumya
authors: S
authors: Jayakumar
authors: Brook Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.
authors: Stephen A
authors: SA
authors: Harrison
authors: NAFLD Research Center, University of California, San Diego; Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, San Diego; Division of Epidemiology, University of California, San Diego.
authors: Rohit
authors: R
authors: Loomba
keywords: biomarkers; fibrosis; inflammation; magnetic resonance elastography; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); noninvasive markers; proton-density-fat-fraction; transient elastography