NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) DATABASE

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) encompasses the spectrum of liver disorders ranging from "simple steatosis" to steatosis with necroinflammation and varying degrees of fibrosis (NASH), a more serious form of the disease, which can ultimately lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease in the absence of significant alcohol consumption (<20 gm per day in women, <30 gm per day in men). This is a multi-center, observational, study designed primarily to create a database of information for the purpose of studying the epidemiology and natural history of NAFLD. Specific hypotheses and questions will be addressed utilizing clinical, laboratory and histological data collected over the period of observation. Both prospective and retrospective data collection will be utilized for this study. Prospective data collection will be carried out by completion of forms and questionnaires by patients and by performance of various laboratory tests and clinical procedures on patients. Retrospective data collection will be carried out by review of the patient's medical chart and extraction of various data elements. Extracted data may include physical measurements and laboratory test results. Procedures required specifically for research purposes include the completion of study questionnaires and blood draws to isolate serum, plasma and DNA which will be used for pertinent laboratory tests and banked for future NAFLD related studies.