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LATEST NEWS:
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2nd Global NASH Congress 2019 in London UK, 25-26 February
The 2nd Global NASH Congress brings together the expert community whose aim it is to tackle the often overlooked NASH epidemic. Last month Prof. dr. Joost Hoekstra visited the 2nd Global NASH Congress in London and is pleased to share his impressions of the congress.
The large inter-individual difference in progression of NAFLD to NASH was stressed by Cynthia Moylan, Duke University, Texas, USA. How to explain this difference? A help in predicting disease progression appeared to be the determining of DNA methylation, as was performed in a child cohort. More research, however, is necessary before a firm prediction model can be established.
The large inter-individual difference in progression of NAFLD to NASH was stressed by Cynthia Moylan, Duke University, Texas, USA. How to explain this difference? A help in predicting disease progression appeared to be the determining of DNA methylation, as was performed in a child cohort. More research, however, is necessary before a firm prediction model can be established.
WHAT IS NASH?
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NASH is an acronym that stands for Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis. It is the most severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and is characterized by the presence of an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver which in some individuals can progress to liver cell injury (hepatocellular ballooning) and inflammation. As NASH evolves, over time it can result in excessive scarring in the liver (fibrosis), a natural response to injury which can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
NAFLD is often associated with insulin resistance and is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. In addition to being at risk for NASH, cirrhosis and its complications, NAFLD patients are also at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary heart disease and stroke. NAFLD confers increased cardiovascular disease risk independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome. Individuals with NASH, have a high frequency of metabolic co-morbidities and could place a growing strain on health-care systems from their need for management. While awaiting the development effective therapies, this disease warrants the attention of primary care physicians, specialists and health policy makers. |
Bron: The NASH education program
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lifestyle disease
NASH is closely related to the epidemic of obesity, pre-diabetes, and diabetes, and can be defined as the liver manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. It is heavily influenced by lifestyle (e.g. chronic excessive calorie intake, sedentary activity) and is distinct from other fatty liver diseases caused by alcohol abuse or medication side effects
Nowadays NASH is the 2nd most common indication for liver transplantation in the USA. The ongoing obesity epidemic makes NASH a serious burden of disease. So, there is an urgent need for effective drugs.
Nowadays NASH is the 2nd most common indication for liver transplantation in the USA. The ongoing obesity epidemic makes NASH a serious burden of disease. So, there is an urgent need for effective drugs.
WHY NASH CLINICAL?
Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed to combat NASH and consequently we have created NASH clinical network. The aim of this network is to share insights about this endemic disease, to collaboratively create easy-and-accurate diagnostic tools to identify these patients, and to conduct clinical trials to mitigate the potentially deleterious outcome of this disease.
THE TEAM
Prof. dr. Joost Hoekstra Professor of Medicine, University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Medicine (AMC-UvA) Scientific Officer, Julius Clinical Academic Research Organization |
Prof. dr. Diederick E. Grobbee Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, UMC Utrecht Past president European Association for Preventive Cardiology, ESC. Chief Scientific Officer, Julius Clinical Academic Research Organization |
Leyla Kragten-Tabatabaie, PhD. Associated Director Scientific networks, Julius Clinical Academic Research Organization Board of Directors, ReSViNET foundation |
Lotte van Barneveld Marketing Manager, Julius Clinical Academic Research Organization |
