Plan of Combined Studies in Medicine (PECEM-MD/PhD), Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; Liver Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico.
Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command (formerly General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area), Liaoning Province, PR China.
Ann Hepatol. 2024 Nov-Dec;29(6):101535. doi: 10.1016/j.aohep.2024.101535. Epub 2024 Aug 13.
Recent efforts to reclassify non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are intended to divert attention to the metabolic basis of the disease rather than to alcohol consumption. This reclassification recognizes the role of obesity, sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits in the development of the disease, leading to a better understanding of its etiology. Nevertheless, the transition has posed its own challenges, particularly with regard to communication between patient and healthcare professional. Many healthcare professionals report difficulty in explaining the nuanced concepts, especially the term "steatosis". In addition, the change in terminology has not yet removed the stigma, with ongoing debates about the appropriateness of the terms "fatty" and "steatotic". Surveys suggest that while "obesity" may be perceived as more stigmatizing, the medical term "steatotic liver disease" is not considered as stigmatizing, indicating a disconnect in perceptions between healthcare professionals and patients.
最近，人们努力将非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）重新归类为代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝病（MAFLD）和代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝疾病（MASLD），旨在将人们对该病的关注从饮酒转移到代谢方面。这种重新分类认识到肥胖、久坐不动的生活方式和不良的饮食习惯在疾病发展中的作用，从而更好地了解其病因。然而，这一转变也带来了自身的挑战，尤其是在医患沟通方面。许多医疗保健专业人员报告难以解释细微差别概念，尤其是术语“脂肪变性”。此外，术语的改变并没有消除污名，关于使用“脂肪”和“脂肪变性”这两个术语是否合适的争论仍在继续。调查表明，虽然“肥胖”可能被认为更具污名化，但医学术语“脂肪变性肝疾病”并不被认为具有污名化，这表明医疗保健专业人员和患者之间对这一问题的看法存在脱节。
