Metabolic Predictors of Disease Progression in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease in Asia. This retrospective cohort study evaluated metabolic predictors associated with disease progression in 356 patients with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD. Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data were analyzed over a median follow-up of five years. Insulin resistance, visceral obesity, and elevated triglyceride levels were independently associated with fibrosis progression. Patients with multiple metabolic risk factors showed a significantly higher incidence of advanced liver disease. These findings highlight the importance of early metabolic risk stratification and lifestyle intervention in preventing NAFLD progression.