Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), poses a significant challenge to public health. With the rise of obesity, hepatic steatosis now affects around a third of the UK population to varying degrees, frequently coexisting with other cardiometabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and ischaemic heart disease. Most patients with MASLD will be diagnosed in the community through investigation of deranged liver function tests or incidentally on abdominal ultrasound. It is therefore important for the general physician to be able to diagnose and risk-stratify MASLD, ensuring appropriate management and onward referral to hepatology for individuals with moderate or high risk of fibrosis.