NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) REGISTRY AND TISSUE REPOSITORY

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 最近的流行病学研究表明，非酒精性脂肪肝（NAFLD）的患病率正在增加，目前估计为23.5%。 非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）是非酒精性脂肪性肝病中包含的疾病之一，在疾病谱的更严重一端。在被诊断患有NASH的患者中，预计16-30%会进展为纤维化和肝硬化。 尽管该疾病的流行，NASH的病因和发病机制知之甚少。NASH最常见于40岁以上的肥胖、糖尿病、接受过空肠旁路手术或接受过某些药物治疗的女性。然而，该疾病也发生在儿童和非肥胖个体中。NASH通常通过肝活检证实，具有大泡脂肪变化的组织学特征;实质炎症;纤维化和/或肝硬化;以及马洛里透明体的存在。 问题是，临床医生、病理学家和研究人员对于炎症和脂肪变性中间类别患者的分类或如何对疾病的阶段进行分级没有明确的共识。因此，有显着需要一个有效的，可重复的，并广泛接受的组织病理学分类系统，这种疾病。 实现NAFLD与NASH的准确诊断， 需要了解这些疾病的自然进展， 制定适当的治疗方案。此外，更好地了解 NAFLD的潜在机制也将有助于预防战略。 该登记研究将大大加强这些重要研究的患者招募过程。

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. Recent epidemiological research indicates that the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing, with current estimates indicating 23.5%. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the conditions encompassed in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, on the more severe end of the spectrum. Of those diagnosed with NASH 16-30% are expected to progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Despite the disease's prevalence, the etiology and pathogenesis of NASH are poorly understood. NASH is most common in women above the age of 40 who are obese, diabetic, have had jejuneal bypass surgery, or have been receiving certain medications. However, the disease also occurs in children and non-obese individuals. NASH is usually confirmed through liver biopsy, with histological features of macrovesicular fatty changes; parenchymal inflammation; fibrosis and/or cirrhosis; and the presence of Mallory hyaline bodies. The problem is that there is no clear consensus among clinicians, pathologists and researchers as to the classification of patients with intermediate categories of inflammation and steatosis or how to grade the stage of the disease. Thus, there is significant need for a validated, reproducible, and widely accepted histo-pathological classification system for this disease. Implementation of accurate diagnosis of NAFLD versus NASH, and an understanding of the natural progression of these conditions are needed to develop appropriate treatments. Additionally, a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying NAFLD will also contribute to prevention strategies. This registry will greatly enhance the process of recruiting patients for these important studies.