Epidemiological characteristics and management of NAFLD/NASH in China: A narrative review.

With industrialization and spread of the westernized lifestyle, the number of people affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is growing rapidly in China; this has become a major public health concern. To better understand the burden and characteristics of NAFLD/NASH in China, we aim to perform a narrative review of the literature published in the past decade. The increasing rate of NAFLD prevalence in China is strikingly high, reaching more than twice that in western countries. The prevalence of NAFLD is nearly 30% of the general Chinese population, making it the leading cause of chronic liver diseases. The prevalence of NAFLD/NASH varies between provinces/regions, age groups, sexes, and individuals with different metabolic profiles. NAFLD co-exists in many Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B. Since 2020, more Chinese studies have used the term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), emphasizing the underlying metabolic disorders that occur concurrently with this disease. In this review, we also summarize the clinical trials of NAFLD/NASH registered by Chinese investigators. Several trials involving lifestyle interventions, antidiabetic drugs, or traditional Chinese medicines have been completed or are ongoing. Moreover, several innovative targeted therapies developed in China are revolutionizing the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.