Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease: the new mapping of a silent disease
Few transformations in modern hepatology have had such a profound impact as the redefinition of the spectrum of liver diseases caused by fat deposition. Under the new nomenclature of steatotic liver disease (SLD) and its central metabolic category, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the scientific community has recognized not only the need for greater […]
Importance of the new steatotic liver disease nomenclature
Introduction Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is defined as the presence of hepatic steatosis together with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor1 (Fig. 1). Figure 1. MASLD is the presence of hepatic steatosis together with at least one of the five cardiometabolic risk factors: elevated weight, elevated glucose, triglyceridemia, low high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and […]
Epidemiology of metabolic hepatic steatosis
Introduction In the first half of the last century, the first case reports appeared of patients with fatty liver who also had metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, or dyslipidemia, but did not consume large quantities of alcohol1. Since then, this condition has received different names; in 1980, Ludwig et al.2 […]
Pathophysiology of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease
Introduction Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has consolidated as the main cause of chronic liver disease globally, with an estimated prevalence of around 30-40% of the adult population and an increasing trend in recent decades1. In 2023, an international multidisciplinary consensus proposed a nomenclature change from NAFLD/NASH (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) to MASLD/MASH […]
Endocrine aspects beyond insulin resistance in metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease
Introduction Over time, since hepatic damage caused by overweight and obesity has been recognized, the rapid development of knowledge for possible therapeutics has acknowledged that insulin resistance is the most compelling factor for the development and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, it is not the only one, as we will explain […]
Metabolic comorbidity in metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease
Introduction Hepatic steatosis represents excessive fat accumulation in the liver, whose etiology includes metabolic disease, alcohol-related, drug-induced, and cryptogenic causes1. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common cause of liver disease. MASLD is a disease that is increasing worldwide; currently, approximately 38% of adult […]
Cardiovascular risk in metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease
Introduction Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) currently constitutes the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Its global prevalence is estimated between 25% and 30% of the adult population, with figures exceeding 40% in regions with a high incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus1. The recent nomenclature change, from NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty […]
Initial evaluation of the patient with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease
Introduction Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged in recent years as a significant global health problem. This new terminology replaces “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” (NAFLD), incorporating diagnostic criteria based on metabolic dysfunction and providing a more precise framework for patient identification and stratification1. MASLD is defined by the presence of hepatic steatosis (detected […]
Alcohol and metabolic dysfunction interaction: MetALD
Introduction In 2023, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was redefined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and likewise non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was redefined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Within this new classification, a new category was proposed, currently termed MetALD (metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease), which encompasses patients who meet criteria for MASLD […]
Metabolic hepatic steatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Introduction Liver cancer is currently the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer death1. The most recent studies report that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the greatest global increase2. MASLD-related HCC (MASLD-HCC) has particular characteristics that distinguish it from HCC of […]