Differential Diagnosis for NASH
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) itself, as the question directly points towards it. NASH is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by inflammation and damage to liver cells, often associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) - This is a broader category that includes NASH and is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol.
- Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) - Although the question specifies NASH, which is non-alcoholic, ALD can present similarly and should be considered, especially if there's any uncertainty about alcohol use.
- Viral Hepatitis (B and C) - These infections can cause liver inflammation and should be considered in the differential diagnosis due to their potential to cause chronic liver disease.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Wilson's Disease - A genetic disorder that leads to copper accumulation in the liver, which can cause liver damage and has a different treatment approach.
- Autoimmune Hepatitis - A condition where the body's immune system attacks liver cells, requiring immunosuppressive treatment.
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency - A genetic disorder that may cause liver disease and lung disease, requiring specific management.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) - An autoimmune disease of the liver characterized by a progressive destruction of the bile ducts within the liver.
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) - A disease that leads to scarring and narrowing of the bile ducts, often associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
- Hemochromatosis - A genetic disorder characterized by excessive iron accumulation in the body, leading to liver damage among other complications.