Epidemiology of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

As the rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) continue to increase globally, so does the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Currently, 38% of all adults and 7-14% of children and adolescents have MASLD. By 2040, the MASLD prevalence rate for adults is projected to increase to over 55%. Although many with MASLD will not develop progressive liver disease, given the vast number of patients with MASLD, it has now become the top indication for liver transplant in the United States for those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and women. However, the most common cause of mortality among patients with MASLD remains death cardiovascular diseases. In addition to liver outcomes (cirrhosis and HCC), MASLD is associated with increased risk for the developing de-novo T2D, chronic kidney disease, sarcopenia and extrahepatic cancers. Furthermore, MASLD is associated with decreased health related quality of life, decreased work productivity, fatigue and increased healthcare resource utilization and substantial economic burden. Similar to other metabolic disease, lifestyle interventions with heathy diet and increased physical activity remain the cornerstone of managing these patients. Although a number of obesity and T2D drugs are available to treat co-morbid disease, Resmetirom is the only MASH-targeted medication that was recently approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use in the United States for those with stage 2-3 fibrosis. The following review provides an overview of MASLD epidemiology, its related risk factors and outcomes and demonstrates that without further global initiatives, MASLD may continue to increase.