Lifestyle Changes for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - A 2015-19 Update

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss have been associated with improved liver enzymes, reduced intrahepatic triglyceride content, and improved histology (including reduced fibrosis stage). OBJECTIVE: To revise the evidence on the beneficial effects of lifestyle changes accumulated since 2015, following the publication of the pivotal Cuban experience with histologic outcome. METHODS: A PubMed search covering the period 2015 to July 2019 was carried out. All retrieved references were analyzed and double-checked by authors. RESULTS: 20 new studies were identified; in addition, two relevant studies provided new evidence. Thirteen studies were classified as randomized, controlled studies, three as proof-of-concept/pilot studies, four as cohort observational studies. In an attempt to maintain a closer contact between participants and the treatment center, a study implemented regular phone calls, another an e-mail service, a third was based on text messages, and finally, a study was totally web-based. Notably, the web-based treatment, accessed following intense motivational interviewing, was not less effective than a standard group-based behavior program. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle changes should form the basis of any NAFLD intervention. Information technology provides the opportunity to expand treatment, bypassing job and time constraints in younger patients, and to maintain long-term contact between patients and therapists in the NAFLD population.