Both NAFLD and AFLD can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Both can shorten life when they progress unchecked. Their danger comes from different directions.
AFLD usually carries a higher short-term risk. Heavy alcohol use can trigger sudden and severe hepatitis that can turn fatal quickly. The inflammation can be intense, and the damage can speed up with each drinking episode.
NAFLD carries a higher long-term risk for the population as a whole. It affects far more people and remains hidden for years. Because it connects with diabetes and heart disease, the combined risk becomes larger than many expect. NAFLD may not flare up fast, but it can reshape a life across decades if metabolic issues remain unaddressed.
So, which is more dangerous? AFLD is more dangerous in the short run because it can deteriorate quickly. NAFLD is more dangerous in the long run because it involves millions of people and links itself to other chronic diseases.
