Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a global concern

Liver disease is a worldwide issue with death rates exponentially increasing over the last 50 years. Although there are many underlying aetiologies, one of the top three causes of liver disease is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is an umbrella term used to describe the build up of fat within the liver. However, there has been recent controversy regarding the ambiguity of this nomenclature with a drive to have it renamed to metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The mainstay of treatment for NAFLD is lifestyle advice and practice nurses have a significant role to play in offering health promotion regarding diet, alcohol intake and exercise. At times this can be problematic, which is why it is important that nurses have an understanding of who may be in the high-risk group of developing NAFLD, in order to offer advice prompt advice and instigate investigations if warranted.