Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease articles from across Nature Portfolio

In this Perspective, Ginès and colleagues discuss liver fibrosis screening programmes using insights from colorectal and lung cancer screening.

Fatty liver disease is one of the most common liver diseases in the Middle East and North Africa region, and globally. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness regarding this condition. The nomenclature changes for NAFLD (to MAFLD or MASLD) have gained considerable attention in the hepatology community. Here, we present our point of view on this ongoing change and debate.

Steatotic liver disease is part of a revised nomenclature to replace the term fatty liver disease, but this should also drive forward innovation in research, diagnostics and treatments.

The metabolic dysfunction that characterizes obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus affects not only the heart and kidneys, but also the liver. Although lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone in the management of metabolic liver diseases, the field has progressed this year, with a new definition, validation of non-invasive biomarkers and numerous clinical trials.

Steatotic liver disease has emerged as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Successful treatment of steatotic liver disease might also be effective in preventing these cardiometabolic diseases.