What is the most common type of chronic liver disease?

The most common type of chronic liver disease is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver in individuals who consume little to no alcohol. NAFLD is increasingly prevalent due to rising rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome. It is associated with insulin resistance and can progress to more severe liver conditions, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

While alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis C infection, and cirrhosis are significant concerns in liver health, they do not represent the most common chronic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease specifically occurs in individuals with excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects a smaller segment of the population, and cirrhosis is the end stage of various liver diseases and not a standalone condition. Thus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease stands out as the most widespread chronic liver disease currently affecting the population.