Table 1.

The Definition of the Clinical Spectrum of NAFLD

NAFLD: Characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in the liver, unrelated to alcohol use, and can be encountered in a broad clinical spectrum ranging from fatty liver, steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer. NAFL: Can be caused by steatosis alone, or lobular inflammation may accompany steatosis without ballooning. Fibrosis may be present in some cases, especially in patients with lobular inflammation. NAFL has a shallow risk of progression to cirrhosis. NASH: A condition in which steatosis is accompanied by inflammation and ballooning with or without fibrosis. NASH is considered a progressive form of NAFLD. NASH Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis in patients with previously known or newly detected fatty liver/steatohepatitis. HCC: The development of HCC in NAFLD patients. It has been reported that developing HCC without cirrhosis in the context of NASH is possible.

NAFLD: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; NAFL: Nonalcoholic fatty liver; NASH: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.