Approved Research

Investigating the relationships between clinical and genetic underpinnings of the outcomes in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Lay summary

Several factors, non-modifiable, such as genetic and demographic and modifiable such as lifestyle factor, clinical risk factors re associated with disease severity and progression in NAFLD.   Our goal is to understand how lifestyle factors, comorbid diseases, and sex-related differences influence the effect of genetic risk factors for NAFLD and its progression and outcomes. NAFLD represents a burden to affected individuals, economics of the health care system and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lifestyle habits, genetic factors and comorbidities are strongly implicated the clinical course of NAFLD. However, whether those factors may increase the risk of mortality and/or more severe liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer have not been studied at a population level.

Although, much work has gone into understanding the role of each individual factors in progression and outcomes of NAFLD, a study to understand the complex interworkings of these factors to unravel progression of NAFLD has not been conducted. Our set of aims will address this gap in knowledge of NAFLD.

Utilizing our findings, we anticipate development of new strategies to slow the progression of NAFLD and adverse outcomes based on modifying lifestyle choices to modify the effect of genetics as well as new line of inquiry into how NAFLD is related to comorbid diseases and reduce health inequity due to the sex-dimorphic nature of NAFLD.