Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) – How relevant is this to Endocrinologists?

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new entity recently proposed by a panel of international experts. It is defined as the presence of hepatic steatosis in addition to any one of the three criteria including overweight or obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or clinical evidence of metabolic dysregulation, such as central obesity, dyslipidaemia and prediabetes. Although there have been controversies in the field about this change in nomenclature, MAFLD emphasizes the contribution of metabolic dysfunction as a key driver to adverse outcomes in fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in T2D is common and constitutes a significant proportion of patients with MAFLD. T2D is a major driver to NAFLD progression. The increased awareness of NAFLD as an emerging major diabetic complication is therefore highly relevant to endocrinologists who often look after T2D patients especially at their advanced stage. This talk will provide an update in the diagnosis and management of MAFLD, especially in the context of T2D.