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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2014; 20(39): 14185-14204
Published online Oct 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14185
Published online Oct 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14185
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and aging: Epidemiology to management
Marco Bertolotti, Amedeo Lonardo, Chiara Mussi, Enrica Baldelli, Elisa Pellegrini, Stefano Ballestri, Dante Romagnoli, Paola Loria, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Nuovo Ospedale Civile di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda USL of Modena, Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy
Stefano Ballestri, Division of Internal Medicine, Pavullo Hospital, 41026 Pavullo (MO), Italy
Author contributions: Bertolotti M, Lonardo A and Loria P conceived the outline of the manuscript; Bertolotti M, Lonardo A, Mussi C, Baldelli E, Pellegrini E, Ballestri S, Romagnoli D and Loria P drafted the paper; Bertolotti M, Lonardo A and Loria P reviewed and edited the final version of the manuscript; Bertolotti M and Lonardo A contributed equally to the paper.
Correspondence to: Marco Bertolotti, MD, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Nuovo Ospedale Civile di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Azienda USL of Modena, Via Giardini 1355, Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy. marco.bertolotti@unimore.it
Telephone: +39-59-3961802 Fax: +39-59-3961335
Received: January 9, 2014
Revised: February 17, 2014
Accepted: June 14, 2014
Published online: October 21, 2014
Revised: February 17, 2014
Accepted: June 14, 2014
Published online: October 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease in the elderly, in whom it follows a more severe course due to worse hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations. The former include nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma; the latter include cardiovascular and metabolic complications. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and principles of treatment that are specifically relevant to elderly patients with NAFLD are critically revised here. Based on these findings, we conclude that a more accurate understanding of the molecular mechanisms of geriatric NAFLD will help in identifying the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the individual elderly patient.