Is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease a prothrombotic risk factor?

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general population (regardless of ethnicity) across the world is steadily increasing, along with the global epidemics of such metabolic diseases as obesity and diabetes. Recently, in a prospective study of a cohort of diabetic patients, NAFLD was observed in 65% of the investigated patients, with 14% having advanced liver fibrosis and 6% cirrhosis.1 NAFLD represents the hepatic manifestation of a systemic condition associated with the metabolic syndrome, liver-related morbidity and mortality and, to a greater extent, cardiovascular disease.