Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD) "EMPOWER IAS"

In news:

• The Union Govt has integrated the Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke.

 

NAFLD

• NAFLD is the abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of secondary causes of fatty liver, such as harmful alcohol use, viral hepatitis, or medications.
• According to doctors, it is a serious health concern as it encompasses a spectrum of liver abnormalities.
• It can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL, simple fatty liver disease) to more advanced ones like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and even liver cancer.

 

Why such a move?

• NAFLD is emerging as an important cause of liver disease in India.
• Epidemiological studies suggest the prevalence of NAFLD is around 9% to 32% of the general population in India with a higher prevalence in those with overweight or obesity and those with diabetes or prediabetes.
• Researchers have found NAFLD in 40% to 80 % of people who have type 2 diabetes and in 30% to 90% of people who are obese.
• Studies also suggest that people with NAFLD have a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
• Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in NAFLD.