Stefano Bellentani

Bellentani earned his degree in Medicine and Surgery in 1979, followed by a Ph.D. in Hepatological Sciences in 1988. He began his academic career in 1993 at the University of Modena and Reggio, where he held various positions. He served as a Lecturer in Dietetics and Nutrition from 1993 to 2012 and as a lecturer in Sport Therapy from 2003 to 2013. In 2013, he got the qualification of Full Professor of Gastroenterology by the Ministry of University and Scientific Research. He has extensive administrative and professional experience. From 1993 to 1997, he served as an Advisor to the Health Management Commission of the Modena Local Health Authority. From 1999 to 2004, he was President of the Municipal Council of Modena, overseeing governmental functions. From 2011 to 2015, he was Director and Vice President of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology. Moreover, he serves as a Consultant Professor for Clinical Activity in Hepatology at the University of Italian-speaking Switzerland.^[1]

Bellentani's studies have contributed significantly to understanding the prevalence, risk factors, and mechanisms underlying conditions like alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and their more severe forms, such as cirrhosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In a 1982 study, he explored the susceptibility of chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers to ethanol-induced hepatic damage. He demonstrated that HBsAg carriers are at increased risk of liver abnormalities even at moderate alcohol consumption levels, suggesting abstinence as a precaution.^[3] His later contributions, particularly as Scientific Creator and Coordinator of the Dionysos Study, in collaboration with Prof. Claudio Tiribelli, provided valuable epidemiological insights into liver disease, including the prevalence of HCV viral infection and NAFLD in the general population. A 1997 study, highlighted that daily alcohol consumption above 30 grams increases the risk of cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic liver damage, with drinking patterns such as consuming alcohol outside meals exacerbating the risk.^[4]

In subsequent work, also within the Dionysos Study, Bellentani investigated hepatic steatosis in relation to alcohol consumption and obesity. A 2000 study showed that steatosis is significantly associated with obesity and heavy drinking, with obesity playing a more prominent role.^[5] Building on this, his 2005 research revealed that NAFLD is 25% prevalent across populations and closely linked to metabolic syndrome components like obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.^[6]

In 2006, Bellentani co-developed the Fatty Liver Index (FLI), a non-invasive algorithm using simple clinical measures like body mass index, triglycerides, and gamma-glutamyl transferase to predict fatty liver.^[7] His 2010 and 2018 studies highlighted the growing burden of NAFLD and NASH, identifying them as emerging public health challenges globally. He emphasized the influence of demographic trends, obesity, and diabetes on the increasing prevalence of these diseases and stressed the importance of public health measures to mitigate the impact.^[8][9]