Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is tightly associated with obesity and the
metabolic syndrome in the United States and other Western countries. It is also the
liver disease most rapidly increasing in prevalence in the United States, and has
become a major indication for liver transplantation worldwide. Compelling evidence
shows that the degree of liver fibrosis dictates liver prognosis in NAFLD. This review
focuses on fibrosis based on clinical and basic perspectives. The authors summarize
the physiopathology of fibrosis development and progression in NAFLD, highlighting
its molecular mechanisms, clinical consequences of fibrosis, the diagnostic approach
and management strategies.
Keywords
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - fibrosis - prognosis - pathogenesis