Habibullah Mohammad, Jemmieh Khaleed, Ouda Amr, Haider Mohammad Zulqurnain, Malki Mohammed Imad, Elzouki Abdel-Naser
College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Internal Medicine Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Jan 23;11:1291501. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1291501. eCollection 2024.
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a novel terminology introduced in 2020 to provide a more accurate description of fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. It replaces the outdated term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and aims to improve diagnostic criteria and tailored treatment strategies for the disease. NAFLD, the most prevalent liver disease in western industrialized nations, has been steadily increasing in prevalence and is associated with serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also linked to insulin resistance syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. However, current studies on NAFLD have limitations in meeting necessary histological endpoints.
This literature review aims to consolidate recent knowledge and discoveries concerning MAFLD, integrating the diverse aspects of the disease. Specifically, it focuses on analyzing the diagnostic criteria for MAFLD, differentiating it from NAFLD and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), and exploring the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and management approaches associated with MAFLD. The review also explores the associations between MAFLD and other conditions. It discusses the heightened mortality risk associated with MAFLD and its link to chronic kidney disease (CKD), showing that MAFLD exhibits enhanced diagnostic accuracy for identifying patients with CKD compared to NAFLD. The association between MAFLD and incident/prevalent CKD is supported by cohort studies and meta-analyses.
This literature review highlights the importance of MAFLD as a distinct terminology for fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. The review provides insights into the diagnostic criteria, associations with CKD, and management approaches for MAFLD. Further research is needed to develop more accurate diagnostic tools for advanced fibrosis in MAFLD and to explore the underlying mechanisms linking MAFLD with other conditions. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and healthcare professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of MAFLD.
代谢相关脂肪性肝病（MAFLD）是2020年引入的一个新术语，用于更准确地描述与代谢功能障碍相关的脂肪性肝病。它取代了过时的术语非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD），旨在改善该疾病的诊断标准和针对性治疗策略。NAFLD是西方工业化国家最常见的肝脏疾病，其患病率一直在稳步上升，并与诸如肝硬化和肝细胞癌等严重并发症相关。它还与胰岛素抵抗综合征和心血管疾病有关。然而，目前关于NAFLD的研究在达到必要的组织学终点方面存在局限性。
本综述旨在整合有关MAFLD的最新知识和发现，综合该疾病的各个方面。具体而言，它着重分析MAFLD的诊断标准，将其与NAFLD和酒精性脂肪性肝病（AFLD）区分开来，并探索与MAFLD相关的流行病学、临床表现、发病机制和管理方法。该综述还探讨了MAFLD与其他病症之间的关联。它讨论了与MAFLD相关的更高死亡风险及其与慢性肾脏病（CKD）的联系，表明与NAFLD相比，MAFLD在识别CKD患者方面具有更高的诊断准确性。队列研究和荟萃分析支持MAFLD与新发/现患CKD之间的关联。
本综述强调了MAFLD作为与代谢功能障碍相关的脂肪性肝病的一个独特术语的重要性。该综述提供了关于MAFLD的诊断标准、与CKD的关联以及管理方法的见解。需要进一步研究以开发用于MAFLD中晚期纤维化的更准确诊断工具，并探索将MAFLD与其他病症联系起来的潜在机制。对于寻求全面了解MAFLD的研究人员和医疗保健专业人员而言，本综述是一份宝贵的资源。
