Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

In News: Recently, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has  launched the operational guidelines for Integration of NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) with NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke).

What is NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)?

• It 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.
• It has serious health concerns as it encompasses a spectrum of liver abnormalities, from a simple non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL, simple fatty liver disease) to more advanced ones like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
  • Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is liver inflammation and damage caused by a buildup of fat in the liver.
  • Cirrhosis is a complication of liver disease that involves loss of liver cells and irreversible scarring of the liver. Alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C are common causes of cirrhosis
• Over the last two decades the global burden of NASH has more than doubled.

Matter of Concerns

• 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.
• Once the disease develops, there is no specific cure available.

Initiative taken

• NPCDCS programme strategies can easily be aligned to prevent NAFLD through lifestyle changes, early diagnosis, and management of associated non-communicable diseases as well as NAFLD.
• The role of Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) in curbing NCDs is immensely beneficial.
• The focus of ‘Eat Right India’ and ‘Fit India Movement’ are right steps in this direction.