Current status and future trends of the global burden of MASLD

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged as the most common chronic liver disease globally, affecting more than a third of the world's adult population. This comprehensive narrative review summarizes the global incidence and prevalence rates of MASLD and its related adverse hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes. We also discuss the substantial economic burden of MASLD on healthcare systems, thus further highlighting the urgent need for global efforts to tackle this common and burdensome liver condition. We emphasize the clinical relevance of early interventions and a holistic approach that includes public health strategies to reduce the global impact of MASLD.

Keywords: disease burden; epidemiology; metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.