The quest for the ideal NASH biomarker

During the past two decades, the substantial increase of obesity and type 2 diabetes has brought awareness to their associated multiorgan complications. The liver is one of the main target organs, implying an increasing involvement of gastroenterologists in the care of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition involving both hepatology and endocrinology. Globally, more than 1 billion people are estimated to be affected by NAFLD, with a prevalence of 20–30%.1 With projections of further increases in non-communicable diseases, this number will continue to grow, leading to many more cases of advanced liver fibrosis and end-stage liver disease and expanding the waiting lists for liver transplantation that are already over capacity.