NAFLD and type 2 diabetes: A practical guide for the joint management

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a major cause of liver disease-related morbidity, as well as mortality. Importantly, NAFLD is considered a mediator of systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease. Its prevalence is expected to increase, mainly due to its close association with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). In addition, T2D and NAFLD share common pathophysiological mechanisms, and one can lead to or worsen the other. Therefore, a close collaboration between primary care physician, endocrinologists and hepatologists is essential to optimize the management of patients with NAFLD and T2D. Here, we summarize relevant aspects about NAFLD and T2D that all clinician managing these patients should know as well as current therapeutic options for the treatment of T2D associated with NAFLD.

Keywords: Agonistas del receptor del péptido similar al glucagón tipo 1; Cribado de fibrosis hepática; Diabetes mellitus tipo 2; Esteatosis hepática metabólica; Fibrosis screening; Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Pioglitazona; Pioglitazone; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.