Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Due to the obesity and co-epidemic of type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in our country, affecting one in four Canadians. NAFLD is an accumulation of fat in the liver. NAFLD can evolve to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the most severe form of NAFLD, leading to cirrhosis and need for liver transplant. NASH is a silent killer because it is largely asymptomatic until end-stage liver complications from liver cirrhosis arise. In 2021, the International Liver Foundation declared NASH a pandemic. The Canadian NASH (CanNASH) Network is an international research group of academic and clinical units aiming to improve knowledge on the frequency, diagnosis and physiopathology of NASH and its complications. The 4th International Workshop of the CanNASH Network will focus on discussing current knowledge on priority research areas and presenting a working draft of the first Canadian NASH Clinical Guidance. The following key topics will be reviewed: 1. The frequency and risk factors of NASH in Canada; 2. Non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose NASH without the need for the invasive liver biopsy; 3. Possible ways to treat NASH; 4. Models of care for screening strategies. The Workshop addresses and contributes to the strategic research priorities of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism by aligning with all its four strategic priorities and contributes to the strategic plan 2021-2026 in the areas of biomedical/clinical and population health (prevention) research. This workshop will promote knowledge exchange among international key opinion leaders in the field and Canadian researchers. It will contribute to effective partnerships and outstanding research at national and international levels while putting Canada at the forefront of the concern around NASH as a global silent pandemic.