The aim of the present prospective NAFLD cohort study (with biobank), of obese subjects with proven NAFLD based on liver biopsy and/or MRI, is to study factors contributing to the development of NASH in patients with simple steatosis and to identify and validate non-invasive markers for the diagnosis of NASH.
NAFLD diagnosis based on evidence of hepatic steatosis, either by imaging (using MRI) or by histology.
BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
Between 18 - 65 years of age
Incompetent to understand and/or sign the informed consent.
Causes for secondary hepatic fat accumulation such as significant alcohol consumption, medications, Wilson's disease, viral infections, starvation or parenteral nutrition, among others, and conditions associated with microvesicular steatosis
Ethanol consumption exceeding more than 14 standard beverages per week for males and more than 7 standard beverages per week for female.
Not able or willing to undergo MRI (for example claustrophobia, ICD, pacemaker).
Maastricht University Medical Center
Lead sponsor
Centrum Obesitas-Eetstoornissen (CO-EUR)
Collaborator