Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an update : Current Opinion in Lipidology

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LIPID METABOLISM: Edited by Derick Raal and Marina Cuchel

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an update

Bedogni, Giorgioa,b; Palmese, Francescoa,b; Foschi, Francesco Giuseppec

Author Information

aDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna

bDepartment of Primary Healthcare, Internal Medicine Unit addressed to Frailty and Aging, S. Maria delle Croci Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna

cDepartment of Internal Medicine, Degli Infermi Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Faenza, Italy

Correspondence to Dr Giorgio Bedogni, Department of Primary Healthcare, Internal Medicine Unit addressed to Frailty and Aging, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Viale Randi 5, 48121 Ravenna, Italy. Tel: +39 0544 285273; e-mail: [email protected]

Current Opinion in Lipidology 34(3):p 114-118, June 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/MOL.0000000000000874

Abstract

Purpose of review 

We discuss two recent controversial issues in the research field of fatty liver: the proposal to replace nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the suggestion to extend to primary care the noninvasive testing for liver fibrosis that was developed for secondary care.

Recent findings 

There is preliminary evidence that MAFLD-only patients are at greater risk of fibrosis than NAFLD-only patients. There are a large number of false positives associated with the downshift of noninvasive testing for liver fibrosis from secondary to primary care.

Summary 

More studies are needed to compare the MAFLD and NAFLD operational definitions. Noninvasive testing of liver fibrosis also needs further evaluation before it can be used in primary care or in the general population.

Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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