[Diagnostic and therapeutic management of MASLD]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed fatty liver, is closely associated with insulin resistance, obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors. It is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events. With a global prevalence of 25-35%, it represents a growing socioeconomic burden. The diagnosis of MASLD is based on imaging evidence of liver steatosis and clinical criteria of cardiometabolic risk. In the extended diagnostic workup, noninvasive procedures are increasingly replacing liver biopsy for the assessment of liver fibrosis and proper risk stratification. Therapeutic management is based on lifestyle interventions to reduce weight, with studies also demonstrating positive liver effects of glucagon-like peptide‑1 (GLP-1) agonists as well as bariatric surgery. Specific drugs for the treatment of steatohepatitis (MASH) are currently in the approval process.