From the Guidelines
The medical term for fatty liver is Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), which replaces the old term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and encompasses various conditions including isolated liver steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and fibrosis. This condition occurs when fat accumulates in liver cells, making up more than 5-10% of the liver's weight, and is tightly linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other cardiometabolic risk factors 1. MASLD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, chronic kidney disease, hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies, and liver-related outcomes, including liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 1.
The diagnosis of MASLD involves case-finding strategies using non-invasive tests, such as blood-based scores (e.g., FIB-4) and imaging techniques (e.g., transient elastography), particularly in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, abnormal liver enzymes, and/or radiological signs of hepatic steatosis 1. Treatment typically involves lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise, and discouraging alcohol consumption, as well as optimal management of comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes or obesity, using incretin-based therapies (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) if indicated 1.
Some key points to consider in the management of MASLD include:
- The use of a stepwise approach to rule out advanced fibrosis, which is predictive of liver-related outcomes 1
- The consideration of bariatric surgery as an option in individuals with MASLD and obesity 1
- The potential use of MASH-targeted treatment with resmetirom in adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis (stage ≥2) 1
- The importance of surveillance for portal hypertension and HCC, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis, in the management of MASH-related cirrhosis 1
From the Research
Fatty Liver Medical Term
The medical term for fatty liver is hepatic steatosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver cells, which can lead to liver damage and other health problems.
Definition and Prevalence
- Hepatic steatosis is defined as intrahepatic fat of at least 5% of liver weight 2.
- It is estimated to afflict 30% of the US population and over 75% of patients with Type 2 diabetes 3.
- Steatotic liver disease, which encompasses hepatic steatosis, affects around 30% of the global population and is mainly driven by obesity, type 2 diabetes, and alcohol intake 4.
Associated Conditions
- Hepatic steatosis is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia 2.
- It is also linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and liver-related mortality 3, 4.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes hepatic steatosis, is characterized by excessive deposition of fat in the liver and develops when hepatic fatty acid availability exceeds hepatic fatty acid disposal 5.
Pathophysiology
- The pathophysiology of hepatic steatosis involves an imbalance between complex pathways of lipid metabolism, leading to an accumulation of fat in the liver 5.
- Insulin resistance and oxidative stress are key factors in the development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to more severe forms of liver disease 6.