Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Current Care Summary
Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Association for General Practice
8.1.2020

Current Care Guideline «Ei-alkoholiperäinen rasvamaksatauti (NAFLD)»1 and Summary «Ei-alkoholiperäinen rasvamaksatauti (NAFLD)»2 in Finnish

There is an epidemic of NAFLD which parallels those of obesity and diabetes. NAFLD covers a spectrum of disease from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and various stages of fibrosis up to cirrhosis, and is also an increasingly important risk factor for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems and elastography can be used to identify those at risk of advanced fibrosis in NAFLD. These patients should be referred to a specialist. Life-style modification (weight loss, exercise) underpins the management of NAFLD. Pharmacological therapy, bariatric surgery and liver transplantations may be indicated in patients with advanced liver fibrosis.

Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Association for General Practice

Hannele Yki-Järvinen (Chair), Perttu Arkkila, Seija Eskelinen, Anne Juuti, Risto Lapatto, Anna Lempiäinen, Eero Mervaala, Anita Nikkola and Ursula Schwab