Meta-analysis of characteristics, surveillance, treatments, and outcomes of NAFLD-related HCC

The clinical presentation and outcomes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unclear when compared with HCC due to other causes. Meta-analysis of 61 studies comparing NAFLD-related HCC with HCC due to other causes (94,636 patients) found that the proportion of HCC secondary to NAFLD was 15.1% (95% CI 11.9-18.9) with considerable regional variation. NAFLD-related HCC was associated with a higher proportion of patients without cirrhosis and lower surveillance rates than HCC due to other causes. The authors conclude that surveillance strategies should be developed for patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis, who are at high risk of developing HCC.