ROSH Gastrointestinal Practice Exam

What condition is associated with the term "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease"?

1. Chronic liver disease

2. Alcoholic liver disease

3. Metabolic syndrome

4. Hepatitis C

The correct answer is: Metabolic syndrome

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is primarily associated with metabolic syndrome, which encompasses a cluster of conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. NAFLD typically arises in individuals who do not consume significant amounts of alcohol, and its development is closely linked to these metabolic factors. As a result, individuals with metabolic syndrome are at an increased risk for developing NAFLD due to the way these conditions affect liver fat accumulation. In contrast, chronic liver disease is a broad category that includes various liver conditions, but it does not specifically highlight the metabolic aspect characteristic of NAFLD. Alcoholic liver disease refers to liver damage due to excessive alcohol intake, which is distinctly different from NAFLD. Similarly, Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver but is not directly related to the mechanisms associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, metabolic syndrome is the most relevant condition related to the term "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease."