Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Morocco: The situation, the determinants and the challenges for health care

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a health problem growing in parallel to the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) worldwide. This pathology leads to an accumulation of triglycerides and free fatty acids in the liver. The accumulation of these fats depends on several factors that act in synergy. Among these factors, metabolic syndrome, visceral adiposity, alteration of the intestinal microbiota, diet, malnutrition, physical inactivity, oxidative stress and genetic predisposition are cited. NAFLD is a silent and progressive pathology with serious economic and social consequences. It represents a public health challenge due to its associated hepatic and extra hepatic complications. The multidisciplinary nature of both obesity and NAFLD management has guided research to identify appropriate non-invasive diagnostic methods and effective treatments for NAFLD. Considering the association of this disease with obesity and diabetes and the trend of the continuous increase of these latter problems in Morocco, this review presents the situation the evolution, the determining factors, complications and etiologies of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Morocco.