Special Population Lean Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Accumulating evidence suggest that lean NAFLD is present in not only Asia but across different regions. Studies in the past 2 decades have shed light on the pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and management of lean NAFLD. Although lean patients with NAFLD in general have less severe metabolic profile and liver disease, some may nonetheless harbor NASH and advanced fibrosis, and the use of noninva-sive tests for risk stratification cannot be overstated. Healthy lifestyle remains valuable in this special patient population. Future studies should define the best pharmacologic treatment of lean NASH.

Automated summary

Accumulating evidence suggests that lean NAFLD is not limited to Asia but is present in different regions as well. Studies conducted in the past 20 years have provided insights into the pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and management of lean NAFLD. Although lean patients with NAFLD generally have milder metabolic profiles and liver diseases, some may still have NASH and advanced fibrosis, emphasizing the importance of noninvasive tests for risk stratification. A healthy lifestyle remains valuable for this unique patient population, and further research is needed to determine the best pharmacologic treatment for lean NASH.