[특집] 당뇨병과 지방간 : 비알코올성 지방간의 임상적 특징-강북삼성병원 종합검진 자료를 중심으로

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, indicating that the body can no longer effectively store excess energy in adipose tissue. This phenomenon is called `ectopic fat accumulation,` and the most common ectopic organs in which excess energy can accumulate in the form of triglyceride are the liver, visceral fat and muscle. The prevalence of NAFLD is rapidly increasing in Korean populations and is estimated to reach 30% in adults. NAFLD is one of the strongest risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the presence of NAFLD in T2DM patients is known to deteriorate the natural course of diabetic complications. Recent studies suggest that NAFLD is not only a sign of insulin resistance, but also a cardiovascular risk factor. In this review, I discuss the current knowledge regarding the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of NAFLD based on results published in the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study, which is one of the largest health screening databases in the world.