Trends in the Burden of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a United States Cohort of Veterans.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. However, few data are available on recent trends in the incidence and prevalence of NAFLD in the U.S.

Methods

We analyzed the national Veterans Administration databases from 2003 to 2011 and calculated the age-adjusted prevalence and incidence of NAFLD for the overall sample of patients and by demographic subgroups. We used a previously validated algorithm to define NAFLD, which was based on persistent increases in levels of liver enzymes in the absence of positive results from tests for hepatitis C or hepatitis B or evidence of excessive alcohol use.

Results

Of the 9,784,541 patients with at least 1 visit to the Veterans Administration betwee

SUBMITTER: Kanwal F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4918764 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature