One of the most significant illnesses that the general public may be familiar with and that requires much research and understanding is fatty liver disease.
It can be classified into two different types and is characterized by an excessive buildup of fat in the hepatic tissues without any complications related to alcohol consumption.
1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver, or NAFL, is a mild form of the disease marked by lipid buildup without signs of cell necrosis or liver injury.
2. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, is a more severe form of the disease that includes inflammation, liver damage, and the potential for fibrosis.
Symptoms of Fatty liver in Females
- Fatigue
- Discomfort in the upper-right abdomen
Joint or muscle pain - Issues with sleep
- Fluctuations in mood (e.g., depression or stress).
- Many individuals also experience symptoms like headaches or dyspnoea that are linked to metabolic syndrome.
Prevalence of Fatty Liver in Females
We will focus on gender because, globally, the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more common in men than in women, with approximately 39.7% of men and 25.6% of women affected.
Many studies have examined the prevalence of fatty liver in the general population, one from the age group and another from the region.
Research proves that postmenopausal women are particularly vulnerable because of their hormone changes.
It is proposed that estrogen has a preventive effect against the buildup of hepatic lipids, a benefit that diminishes with age.
Risk Factors for Fatty Liver Development in Females
Hormonal Factors
In order to provide preventive action against NAFLD, estrogen is essential.
The decrease in estrogen levels following the menopause is linked with a rise in hepatic fat deposition and an increased susceptibility to disease progression.
On the other hand, elevated androgen levels, which are seen in diseases like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in women.
Menopause’s Effect on the Distribution of Fat
Women’s menopause is one of the overlooked factors that may have an impact on NAFLD by altering the distribution of fat; increased fat deposition, particularly in the viscera, is a major risk factor for NAFLD.
If accompanied by sarcopenia or muscular degeneration, which impair glucose metabolism and lead to insulin resistance, this physiological condition may be more likely to impact NAFLD.
Because of the early, undeveloped fat storage and hormonal disruption, we can therefore consider early menarche to be one of the risk factors for NAFLD.
As previously stated, PCOS can raise the risk of NAFLD even in the absence of obesity because of elevated testosterone levels and associated metabolic abnormalities.
Treatment of Fatty Liver in Females
There was a conflict regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) between its proponents and opponents regarding the risk of causing hepatic inflammation or just causing relief.
The other direction in the treatment is the usage of supportive therapy as cardiovascular and metabolic risk management
Future Directions and Therapeutic Gaps
Currently there are approaches that include treatment with gender-specific variables such age, hormonal status, and metabolic health. It offers significant benefit for females
Future studies should concentrate on developing biomarkers and prediction models tailored to female participants.
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Conclusion
The manifestation of NAFLD in females is determined by a complicated interplay of age-related, metabolic, and hormonal variables. Addressing these particular factors through focused research and tailored treatment regimens can improve outcomes for women who suffer from the illness.
References
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Arshad, T., Golabi, P., Paik, J., Mishra, A., & Younossi, Z. M. (2018). Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Female Population. Hepatology Communications, 3(1), 74–83.
Huang, Y. P., Zhang, S., Zhang, M., Wang, Y., Wang, W. H., Li, J., Li, C., & Lin, J. N. (2021). Gender-specific prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease among government employees in Tianjin, China: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 11(12), e056260.
Lonardo, A., Nascimbeni, F., Ballestri, S., Fairweather, D., Win, S., Than, T. A., Abdelmalek, M. F., & Suzuki, A. (2019). Sex Differences in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: State of the Art and Identification of Research Gaps. Hepatology, 70(4), 1457–1469.
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Sahu, P., Chhabra, P., & Mehendale, A. M. (2023). A Comprehensive Review on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cureus, 15(12), e50159.
