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About the Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Fibrosis Score

While overall prevalence of NAFLD is estimated to be anywhere from 6.3% to 33%, the rate is more than double that in people with type 2 diabetes.1 In recent studies, NAFLD has been shown to predict the development of type 2 diabetes, and vice versa.2 Each condition may serve as a progression factor for the other, and some complications of diabetes may be directly linked to NAFLD.2

The panel assesses the following:

  • Serum glucose
  • Platelet count
  • Albumin
  • AST/ALT ratio
  • Patient characteristics such as age, BMI, and diabetes status

NAFLD, NASH, and the diabetes connection

NAFLD is a liver condition that is associated with obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. In its most indolent form (simple steatosis), NAFLD is characterized by the histologic accumulation of fat within hepatocytes. In some patients, this fat accumulation is accompanied by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis—nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)—which may progress to cirrhosis and attendant complications.

When should you use this test?

When bridging fibrosis and/or cirrhosis is suspected.

What makes this test different?

The NAFLD Fibrosis Score is a validated, noninvasive tool for identifying patients whose NAFLD has advanced to liver fibrosis. It relies on readily available clinical information and routinely measured laboratory data. The NAFLD Fibrosis Score is recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). All three organizations consider it a clinically useful tool for identifying patients at high risk for bridging fibrosis and/or cirrhosis.1

Get in touch

Contact a Quest Diagnostics sales representative to learn more at

1.866.MYQUEST (1.866.697.8378).

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This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. A physician’s test selection and interpretation, diagnosis, and patient management decisions should be based on his/her education, clinical expertise, and assessment of the patient.

 

References

 

  1. Chalasani N, Younossi Z, Lavine, J, et al. The diagnosis and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2018;67(1):335-336. doi:10.1002/hep.29367
  2. Williams KH, Shackel NA, Gorrell MD, et al. Diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a pathogenic duo. Endocr Rev. 2013;34:84-129. doi:10.1210/er.2012-1009

Questions?

Please talk to your Quest account representative for ordering information on our NAFLD testing solutions

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NAFLD Fibrosis Score