Liver Transplantation for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is spectrum of histological findings ranging from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with progressive fibrosis and liver failure. NAFLD affects up to 30 million people in the United States with more than 600,000 with cirrhosis. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in North America, NAFLD has become an important emerging public health issue. As the prevalence and severity of obesity continue to increase in the United States, with concomitant rises in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, the prevalence of all grades of NAFLD can also be expected to increase. In particular, NAFLD will likely become a predominant indication for liver transplantation in the United States over the next decade. This review describes the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and pathogenesis of NAFLD. In addition, the management of NAFLD before and after liver transplantation is discussed.