Epidemiology, risk factors, social determinants of health, and current management for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally and is estimated to
affect approximately 25% of the world’s population. Data about the prevalence and incidence of NAFLD in Africa are
scarce, but the prevalence is estimated to be 13·5% for the general population. This is likely to be an underestimate
considering the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly the rising prevalence of obesity and
type 2 diabetes, driven by the overlapping challenges of food insecurity, nutritional transition, and associated increased
consumption of calorie-dense foods. Establishing the true prevalence of NAFLD, raising public awareness around the
risk factors behind the increase in NAFLD, and proactively addressing all components of metabolic syndrome will be
important to combat this silent epidemic, which will have long-term health-care costs and economic consequences
for the region.
Description
Keywords
Epidemiology, Risk factors, Health, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Sub-Saharan Africa
Citation
Spearman, C. W., Afihene, M., Betiku, O., Bobat, B., Cunha, L., Kassianides, C., ... & Sonderup, M. W. (2021). Epidemiology, risk factors, social determinants of health, and current management for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 6(12), 1036-1046.https://doi.org/10.1016/ S2468-1253(21)00275-2