Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now redefined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), has emerged as the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease, affecting up to 38% of the global adult population. As MASLD progresses, it can lead to severe liver-related outcomes such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It can also pose significant extrahepatic risks including CVD, chronic kidney disease, and various cancers.
MASLD is now recognized as an independent risk factor for CVD, and many studies have shown that its severity correlates with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality. Recent studies also highlight the role of chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipotoxicity in MASLD’s pathogenesis, which not only affects the liver but also contributes to cardiovascular complications. Moving forward, comprehensive risk assessments, lifestyle interventions, and the use of drugs like statins, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors, already beneficial for type 2 diabetes, will be crucial for reducing CVD risk in patients with MASLD.
Reference: Targher G, Byrne CD, Tilg H. MASLD: a systemic metabolic disorder with cardiovascular and malignant complications. Gut. 2024 Mar 7;73(4):691-702. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330595. PMID: 38228377.
