This episode looks at four different sources of data estimating NASH and NAFLD prevalence in population subgroups the US, UK and Germany. All four suggest that the share of people living with NAFLD might be as high as three in eight. This is far too high a screening burden for the hepatology community to manage on its own. However, it should have broader implications for overall treatment pathways.

If the liver is the “canary in the (metabolic) coal mine,” as Stephen Harrison frequently argues, then everyone in the metabolic disease cascade should be interested in screening patients to prevent the various metabolic diseases before they manifest as serious conditions.

The data sources include a German population study that was accepted for publication last week (Jörn Schattenberg, last co-author), the SUNN study that Wayne Eskridge has shared previously on this podcast, and data and insights from Ian Rowe’s extensive study of the Leeds, UK population. Also, Louise Campbell discusses some raw data she has compiled from Tawazun work and Roger references the two studies that Stephen and colleagues conducted at the San Antonio Medical Military Center.