Treatment options for managing atherogenic dyslipidemia and fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause ofchronic liver disease in Western countries with up to 30% of the populationaffected. Since NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular(CV) disease, these patients should be stratified for CV risk factors, includingatherogenic dyslipidemia, and managed accordingly. Lifestyle modificationsrepresent an effective treatment for NAFLD, since most patients areoverweight or obese. Also, promising, but not conclusive, results are availablefor current pharmacologic treatment. Drugs potentially effective againstNAFLD include insulin sensitisers as well as fibrates and omega-3 polyunsaturatedfatty acids, while there is reluctance to use statins in patients withsuspected or established chronic liver disease. Several other therapeutic optionsare potentially available, and more data are expected from new peroxisomeproliferator-activated receptor agonists and incretin-based therapie