The epidemiology, natural history, and risk factors for progression of NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged a major challenge because of its prevalence, difficulties to diagnose, complex disease phenotypes and lack of approved therapies. This seminar described the epidemiology, natural history, and risk factors for progression of NAFLD. It recommended that risk stratification and the evaluation of cardiovascular risk and comorbid illnesses were needed once NAFLD was diagnosed. Moreover, prevention and the treatment of NAFLD should still rely on healthy lifestyle and weight reduction as obesity is the main driver of this common liver disease. 

Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator Prof. Vincent WONG in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK. Prof. Wong’s research focuses on non-invasive assessment and treatment of chronic liver diseases.