Approved Research

Predictors of hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and associated metabolic diseases

Lay summary

This study aims to assess the relationship and interactions between the host and environment factors associated with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), its associated metabolic diseases, and clinical outcomes associated with the disease state. This research project is estimated to take up to 36 months. NAFLD is a pressing global health issue affecting up to a third of today's population. With the growing obesity epidemic, the prevalence of NAFLD is expected to rise exponentially, increasing the strain it poses to healthcare systems and economies worldwide. While significant advances have been made in the development of therapeutic agents, there are currently no approve pharmacological treatments for NAFLD and its advanced form of disease. NAFLD is a highly complex disease that is influenced by host and environmental factors. In current literature, NAFLD severity has been associated with metabolic dysfunction such as diabetes, where patients presenting with both NAFLD and metabolic diseases were associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes and mortality. However, the bidirectional effect in NAFLD and metabolic syndrome remains contentious. Furthermore, inter-individual and inter-ethnic genetic variations have been found to contribute significantly to differences in NAFLD risk and severity. However, the effect of genetic and environmental factors in NAFLD on its associated clinical outcomes has yet to be well characterised. It will be of interest for further examination of the effects of various host and environmental factors on disease progression and extrahepatic outcomes in NAFLD patients. By utilising the UK Biobank, this research project aims to identify risk factors of adverse clinical outcomes in NAFLD and its associated metabolic diseases. Results from this study may contribute to current literature by adding to our understanding of the complex pathophysiology underlying NAFLD and its associated clinical complications. This knowledge may prove useful in the development of pharmacological therapeutics and the clinical management of NAFLD.