Shear-Wave Elastography for Metabolic Syndrome Patients' Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Assessment

Abstract

Hepatic steatosis is defined as the accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, making up more than 5% of the total weight of the liver. The global incidence of obesity and the incidence of steatosis of the liver is increasing simultaneously, which represents the commonest cause of liver disease. In addition to obesity, this liver disease is also closely related to a wide range of metabolic comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have a high association with NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Patients with NAFLD are at greater risk to develop fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which causes great morbidity. The most common form of chronic liver disease worldwide by far is NAFLD. It is estimated that around one-third of the adult population in industrialized nations is affected by it. NAFLD is an asymptomatic condition, reaching advanced stages even before being suspected or diagnosed.