Steatohepatitis: Difference between revisions

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== Steatohepatitis ==
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
[[File:Steatohepatitis_high_mag.jpg|thumb|right|Micrograph of steatohepatitis showing ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes.]]
| name            = Steatohepatitis
 
| image          = [[File:Steatohepatitis_high_mag.jpg|left|thumb|Micrograph of steatohepatitis.]]
| caption        = Micrograph of steatohepatitis showing ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes and inflammation.
| field          = [[Gastroenterology]]
| synonyms        = Fatty liver hepatitis
| symptoms        = [[Fatigue]], [[abdominal pain]], [[jaundice]]
| complications  = [[Cirrhosis]], [[liver cancer]], [[liver failure]]
| onset          = Gradual
| duration        = Long-term
| causes          = [[Alcoholic liver disease]], [[non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]]
| risks          = [[Obesity]], [[type 2 diabetes]], [[hyperlipidemia]], [[metabolic syndrome]]
| diagnosis      = [[Liver biopsy]], [[blood tests]], [[imaging studies]]
| differential    = [[Viral hepatitis]], [[autoimmune hepatitis]], [[hemochromatosis]]
| treatment      = Lifestyle changes, [[weight loss]], [[medications]]
| medication      = [[Vitamin E]], [[pioglitazone]], [[metformin]]
| prognosis      = Variable, depends on severity and treatment
| frequency      = Common, especially in individuals with risk factors
}}
'''Steatohepatitis''' is a type of [[liver disease]] characterized by inflammation of the liver with concurrent accumulation of fat in the liver cells, a condition known as [[steatosis]]. It is a progressive form of [[non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]] (NAFLD) and can lead to more severe liver damage, including [[cirrhosis]] and [[liver cancer]].
'''Steatohepatitis''' is a type of [[liver disease]] characterized by inflammation of the liver with concurrent accumulation of fat in the liver cells, a condition known as [[steatosis]]. It is a progressive form of [[non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]] (NAFLD) and can lead to more severe liver damage, including [[cirrhosis]] and [[liver cancer]].
== Pathophysiology ==
== Pathophysiology ==
Steatohepatitis occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage to liver cells. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a "two-hit" hypothesis. The first "hit" is the accumulation of fat in the liver, and the second "hit" involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory cytokines that lead to liver cell injury and fibrosis.
Steatohepatitis occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage to liver cells. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a "two-hit" hypothesis. The first "hit" is the accumulation of fat in the liver, and the second "hit" involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory cytokines that lead to liver cell injury and fibrosis.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Steatohepatitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Steatohepatitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
* [[Obesity]]
* [[Obesity]]
* [[Type 2 diabetes]]
* [[Type 2 diabetes]]
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* [[Alcohol consumption]] (in the case of alcoholic steatohepatitis)
* [[Alcohol consumption]] (in the case of alcoholic steatohepatitis)
* Certain medications and toxins
* Certain medications and toxins
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Many individuals with steatohepatitis are asymptomatic, especially in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Many individuals with steatohepatitis are asymptomatic, especially in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
* Fatigue
* Fatigue
* Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right quadrant
* Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right quadrant
* [[Hepatomegaly]] (enlarged liver)
* [[Hepatomegaly]] (enlarged liver)
* Jaundice (in advanced cases)
* Jaundice (in advanced cases)
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
The diagnosis of steatohepatitis is typically made through a combination of:
The diagnosis of steatohepatitis is typically made through a combination of:
* [[Blood tests]] showing elevated liver enzymes
* [[Blood tests]] showing elevated liver enzymes
* [[Imaging studies]] such as [[ultrasound]], [[CT scan]], or [[MRI]]
* [[Imaging studies]] such as [[ultrasound]], [[CT scan]], or [[MRI]]
* [[Liver biopsy]] to confirm inflammation and fat accumulation
* [[Liver biopsy]] to confirm inflammation and fat accumulation
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment of steatohepatitis focuses on addressing the underlying causes and may include:
Treatment of steatohepatitis focuses on addressing the underlying causes and may include:
* Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and exercise
* Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and exercise
* Control of blood sugar and lipid levels
* Control of blood sugar and lipid levels
* Avoidance of alcohol
* Avoidance of alcohol
* Medications to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis
* Medications to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis
== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==
The prognosis of steatohepatitis varies depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of other risk factors. Early intervention and lifestyle changes can significantly improve outcomes and prevent progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
The prognosis of steatohepatitis varies depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of other risk factors. Early intervention and lifestyle changes can significantly improve outcomes and prevent progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
 
== See also ==
== Related pages ==
* [[Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]]
* [[Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]]
* [[Cirrhosis]]
* [[Cirrhosis]]
* [[Liver cancer]]
* [[Liver cancer]]
* [[Hepatitis]]
* [[Hepatitis]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]

Latest revision as of 18:00, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Steatohepatitis
Micrograph of steatohepatitis.
Synonyms Fatty liver hepatitis
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice
Complications Cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure
Onset Gradual
Duration Long-term
Types N/A
Causes Alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Risks Obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome
Diagnosis Liver biopsy, blood tests, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis Viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Lifestyle changes, weight loss, medications
Medication Vitamin E, pioglitazone, metformin
Prognosis Variable, depends on severity and treatment
Frequency Common, especially in individuals with risk factors
Deaths N/A


Steatohepatitis is a type of liver disease characterized by inflammation of the liver with concurrent accumulation of fat in the liver cells, a condition known as steatosis. It is a progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and can lead to more severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Steatohepatitis occurs when there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage to liver cells. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a "two-hit" hypothesis. The first "hit" is the accumulation of fat in the liver, and the second "hit" involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory cytokines that lead to liver cell injury and fibrosis.

Causes[edit]

Steatohepatitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Symptoms[edit]

Many individuals with steatohepatitis are asymptomatic, especially in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right quadrant
  • Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
  • Jaundice (in advanced cases)

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of steatohepatitis is typically made through a combination of:

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of steatohepatitis focuses on addressing the underlying causes and may include:

  • Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and exercise
  • Control of blood sugar and lipid levels
  • Avoidance of alcohol
  • Medications to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of steatohepatitis varies depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of other risk factors. Early intervention and lifestyle changes can significantly improve outcomes and prevent progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

See also[edit]