Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a term describing excessive accumulation
of fat in hepatocytes, and is associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. NAFLD
prevalence is on increase and goes in parallel with the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome
and its components. That is why Croatian guidelines have been developed, which cover the screening
protocol for patients with NAFLD risk factors, and the recommended diagnostic work-up and treatment
of NAFLD patients. NAFLD screening should be done in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,
or persons with two or more risk factors as part of metabolic screening, and is carried out by
noninvasive laboratory and imaging methods used to detect fibrosis. Patient work-up should exclude
the existence of other causes of liver injury and determine the stage of fibrosis as the most important
factor in disease prognosis. Patients with initial stages of fibrosis continue to be monitored at the
primary healthcare level with the management of metabolic risk factors, dietary measures, and increased
physical activity. Patients with advanced fibrosis should be referred to a gastroenterologist/
hepatologist for further treatment, monitoring, and detection and management of complications