Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Gastroenterology
• Public Health and Epidemiology
• Cardiometabolic Medicine

Background:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a growing public health concern.
• Hepatic steatosis affects approximately one-third of the UK population, often alongside type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease.
• MASLD diagnosis commonly occurs in primary care via abnormal liver function tests or incidental ultrasound findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the importance of primary care physicians in diagnosing MASLD.
• To highlight the need for risk stratification of MASLD patients, particularly for liver fibrosis.
• To guide appropriate patient management and referral pathways.

Main Methods:

• Review of current diagnostic approaches for MASLD in the community.
• Assessment of the prevalence and comorbidities of MASLD in the UK.
• Discussion of risk stratification tools for liver fibrosis in MASLD.

Main Results:

• MASLD is highly prevalent, affecting a significant portion of the UK population.
• MASLD frequently coexists with other serious cardiometabolic conditions.
• Primary care physicians play a key role in initial MASLD identification.

Conclusions:

• General physicians must be equipped to diagnose and risk-stratify MASLD.
• Effective management and timely referral to hepatology are essential for patients at risk of fibrosis.
• Addressing MASLD is critical for managing associated cardiometabolic diseases and improving public health outcomes.