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  • Causes & Risk Factors
  • Symptoms
  • Complications
  • Diagnosis & Treatment
  • Global Impact
  • FAQs
  • Learn More

What Is NASH? 

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, is the most severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which the liver builds up excessive fat deposits.1

The liver is part of the digestive system. The organ helps break down food, store energy, filter waste products, and remove toxins.1 Even healthy livers contain some fat, but if your liver has more than 5%  fat, you may have some form of NAFLD. If that fat is accompanied by inflammation, it is called NASH.1

NAFLD can be mild and symptomless, but if it progresses to NASH, it can sometimes cause people to experience liver damage similar to that caused by alcohol abuse, even if they do not drink.1

The body can repair minor liver damage, but if the effects are severe or long-term, scar tissue eventually replaces liver tissue (a process known as fibrosis). That can lead to cirrhosis—a life-threatening condition in which irreversible damage prevents the liver from working properly.1

Potential new diagnostic tools and treatments that are being evaluated in NASH may offer new hope for people with this serious liver disease.

 

Prevalence of NASH 

NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in the U.S., affecting roughly 25% of adults.2 Most people with NAFLD have a fatty liver without inflammation. However, 20% of people with NAFLD develop NASH—liver inflammation that can seriously harm the organ.2 It is estimated that over 115 million adults around the world are impacted by NASH.3      

NASH is most common among people who are obese and/or have Type 2 diabetes. As these conditions become more prevalent, so does NASH.4,5

Causes and Risk Factors

What Causes NASH?

Scientists don’t fully understand what causes NAFLD or why some people develop NASH and others don’t. But this is an area where researchers are learning more every year.4,5

Genetics, metabolic changes, and changes to the microbiome (the microorganisms that are part of a healthy gut) might contribute to NASH.5,6,7

Some other causes under study include6,7:

  • An immune system reaction to excessive fatty liver tissue
  • The release of toxic inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) by liver cells or fat cells
  • Self-destruction (apoptosis) of liver cells
  • Oxidative stress, the effect of unstable molecules called free radicals
What Causes NASH
NASH and Genetics

Genetics seem to contribute to NAFLD and NASH. Research has identified gene changes that might play a role, including a certain variation in the PNPLA3 gene.8 This gene gives cells instructions for making adiponutrin, a protein found in liver cells and fat cells.9 Scientists believe that a particular change in the PNPLA3 gene could cause increased fat production and decreased breakdown of fats in the liver, which may contribute to development of NASH.8

Ongoing research could shed further light on the role of PNPLA3 and other genes in NASH. Researchers have already confirmed that variations in PNPLA3 can be inherited.10 Genetically inherited variations of the HSD17B13  protein also may play a role in the development of NAFLD and NASH, as well as severity.8,11 Emerging research is attempting to clarify how lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise may affect how the body expresses these genetic variations.12

NASH Risk Factors

Researchers understand NAFLD and NASH risk factors more than their causes. The most common risk factors include4:

  • Up to 75% of people who are overweight and 90% of people with extreme obesity have NAFLD;13 however, it also occurs in patients who are at a healthy weight.

  • Between one-third and two-thirds of people with Type 2 diabetes have NAFLD.

  • This includes high levels of triglycerides or LDL cholesterol, as well as low levels of HDL cholesterol.

  • NAFLD, including NASH, is more common with age, but children can have NAFLD.

  • NAFLD is most common in Hispanic people, followed by non-Hispanic whites and Asian Americans. It is less common in Black people.

  • Post-menopausal people may be at higher risk of developing NASH.

  • People with sleep apnea face higher risk.

Additional NASH risk factors such as rapid, excessive weight loss and polycystic ovary syndrome (an imbalance of hormones caused by the ovaries) have been identified. However, these risk factors are not considered the most common or well-studied.4

NASH in Children

NAFLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children in the U.S. As childhood obesity becomes more widespread, so does NAFLD  in children. An estimated 10% of American children (roughly 6 million kids ages 2 to 19) have NAFLD, which can develop into NASH.4

NAFLD is more common in older children and Hispanic and Asian-American children. Compared with people with adult-onset NAFLD, children with NAFLD are more likely to develop NASH or related complications as adults.4

Children's risk factors for NASH include obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Genetics might also increase risk.4

Preventing NASH

Unlike inherent NASH risk factors such as genetics, age, and race, some can be reduced through healthy diet and lifestyle choices that can help protect the liver. These include5,14:

  • This can help prevent NAFLD or lessen its effects. Losing weight can cause NASH to reverse to simple fatty liver, while regaining weight can reignite NASH.

  • Limiting fat intake and portion sizes can help people avoid obesity and protect both their liver and heart. Eating healthy (unsaturated) fats, especially the ones found in fish, nuts, and fruit called omega-3 fatty acids, instead of less healthy fats can improve health and help to control weight. This diet also may lower heart disease risk in people with NAFLD.

  • Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains affect blood glucose levels less than high-glycemic index foods such as white rice, white bre ad, and potatoes.

  • A simple sugar found in soft drinks, sports drinks, juice, and many processed foods, fructose rapidly increases blood glucose level. Diets high in fructose increase the odds of developing NASH.

  • Heavy drinking can damage the liver even more in people who already have NAFLD.

NASH Symptoms

NASH Symptoms

NAFLD, including NASH, is usually a silent disease, meaning it has few, if any, symptoms. People with NASH may feel tired or feel discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen, but most people don't notice symptoms until they develop NASH cirrhosis.1,5

 

How Fast Does NASH Progress?

The NASH progression to cirrhosis starts when inflamed liver tissue turns into scar tissue (fibrosis), which can prevent the liver from functioning properly. Of those who have NASH, one-third or more go on to develop cirrhosis , which also increases the risk of developing liver cancer.1

Most people have NAFLD for years before developing cirrhosis or other complications of NASH.2

Symptoms of NASH Liver Disease

People with cirrhosis (severe fibrosis or scarring) of the liver related to NASH may experience:15

  • Intense itching
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Easy bruising and bleeding
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Spider-like blood vessels beneath the skin's surface
  • Behavior changes, confusion, and slurred speech.

NASH Complications

NASH increases the risk of cirrhosis-related liver failure and liver cancer, which could require a liver transplant.13 The average life expectancy for someone with cirrhosis of advanced liver disease is about nine to 12 years.16 However, NAFLD greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and decreases life expectancy in adults.17

NASH Complications

Diagnosis and Treatment

How NASH Is Diagnosed

If you have increased liver enzymes in blood tests or related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes or obesity, your doctor may use several diagnostic methods to determine whether you have NASH. These could include18:

  • To determine what medications you take, your alcohol intake, your diet and activity levels, and whether you have other health conditions that increase your risk for NAFLD.

  • To check for signs of jaundice, enlarged liver, and other NASH symptoms.

  • To examine liver function, liver enzymes, and the presence of viral infections and rare genetic conditions that can cause a fatty liver.

  • Such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), a type of scan that generates a visual map of the liver, measuring its stiffness.19

  • To collect a tissue sample for lab testing. If your liver biopsy reveals both fat and inflammation in the tissue sample, you may be diagnosed with NASH.18

NASH Treatment

There are no medications approved to treat NAFLD, including NASH, but researchers are studying different potential t herapies for NASH.20 The National Institutes of Health urges people with fatty livers to consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements or alternative treatments, as some herbal remedies may cause or worsen liver damage.20

For people who are overweight, weight loss, which in some cases can be achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise, may help. Losing at least 3% to 5% of total weight can decrease fat deposits in the liver, while shedding 7% to 10% can reduce liver inflammation and scar tissue.20   

If you have NASH and cirrhosis, your doctor may recommend medication, minor medical procedures, or liver transplant surgery to treat cirrhosis complications.20

Global Impact of NASH

NAFLD is becoming more common around the world, in both developing and developed countries. By 2030, the number of people in China with NASH is expected to reach 48.26 million. In Europe, Spain had 1.8 million cases in 2016, with the number expected to increase 49% by 2030. German cases of NASH stood at 3.33 million in 2016 and are projected to climb 43% by 2030. And, researchers anticipate 27 million cases of NASH in the U.S. by 2030.21

Not only does an increase in NASH cases negatively impact lives, but there can also be a steep economic impact for patients and their families, payers, and governments. In the U.S., the annual direct cost of treating NAFLD reaches $103 billion, while four European countries—Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom—spend about €35 billion a year.22

Global Impact of NASH

Frequently Asked Questions About NASH

  • The effects of NASH may be reversible with weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes, but if the damage is severe or long-term, it may be permanent.20

  • NASH stands for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a fatty, inflamed liver not caused by heavy drinking.1

  • Certain genes may be associated with NAFLD or NASH in some cases, but the role of genes and heredity links are not fully understood.8,9,10,11,12

  • NASH is a form of NAFLD. NAFLD means you have a fatty liver, while NASH means you have a fatty liver that is also inflamed.1

Find a Pfizer clinical trial for NASH at PfizerClinicalTrials.com.

Explore NASH clinical trials at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Area of Focus: Inflammation & Immunology

NASH is a focus of Pfizer’s Inflammation & Immunology Therapeutic Area. Visit the Inflammation & Immunology Page.

The information contained on this page is provided for your general information only. It is not intended as a substitute for seeking medical advice from a healthcare provider. Pfizer is not in the business of providing medical advice and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Pfizer under no circumstances recommends particular treatments for specific individuals and in all cases recommends consulting a physician or healthcare center before pursuing any course of treatment.

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