MAFLD vs. MASLD: a year in review

Abstract

Introduction: In 2023, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was introduced following metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Both aim to address the limitations of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This review analyzes the similarities and differences between MAFLD and MASLD, focusing on their impacts on epidemiology, diagnosis, stigma, and related liver diseases.

Areas covered: Current evidence suggests that MAFLD criteria effectively identify individuals at higher risk through a good balance of sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, MAFLD is a more generalizable term that is easily understood globally.

Expert opinion: The transition from NAFLD to MAFLD and MASLD marks a significant advance in understanding fatty liver disease within hepatology. MAFLD identifies a homogeneous cohort of patients with fatty liver due to metabolic dysfunction and provides a valuable framework for holistic, patient-centered management strategies that consider various contributing factors to improve health outcomes.

Keywords: MAFLD; MASLD; coexisting liver diseases; diagnostic performance; stigma.