Steatotic Liver Disease

Steatotic Liver

Disease

What is Steatotic Liver Disease?

Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD) is a group of medical conditions affecting the liver. The most common condition is known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, MASH, which is the severe form of a chronic liver disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This progressive liver disease comes from the accumulation of abnormal amount of fat in the liver. It is general considered “non-alcoholic” because the patients affected by MASLD or MASH drink less than 3 drinks per day for men, and less than 2 drinks per day for women.

The excess of fat will lead to inflammation of the liver and to liver cell injury. These lesions of the liver can be seen under a microscope with a liver biopsy. This condition may lead to advanced fibrosis, which is the scarring of the liver. The liver will not be able to function normally when the fibrosis becomes too important. This fibrosis can evolve to cirrhosis, in which the extent of the scar tissue does not allow the liver to function properly. Once cirrhosis has developed, serious complications may occur, including liver failure, liver cancer, or the need for a liver transplant.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects 1 out of 4 Americans. Patients typically show no symptoms.

Facts About MASH

MASH is the most common chronic liver disorder in industrialized countries, affecting around 12% of the US adult population.
MASH is a silent disease, because most patients with MASH do not feel any symptoms. This is why many patients do not know they have MASH, until the disease has progressed to very advanced stages.
MASH is the consequence of sedentary lifestyle and is associated with excess fat and excess sugar diets.

MASH has more than doubled in the last 20 years due to the epidemic of diabetes and obesity, linked with unhealthy lifestyle (fatty foods, excess carbohydrates, drinks rich in sugar/fructose).
MASH is expected to become the leading cause of liver transplant in the US in the coming years.

You are at risk for MASH if you are:

50 Years of Age

or Older

Have Type II

Diabetes

Overweight

or Obese

Treatment of MASH

There is one FDA-approved drug for the treatment of MASH called Rezdiffra (resmetirom) from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals. Other than this, the best way to keep MASH from worsening is to modify dietary and lifestyle habits. Additionally, good control of the associated conditions such as diabetes, lipid abnormalities, and hypertension will help to slow the worsening of MASH. Ask your physician about current clinical trials to evaluate other potential treatments for MASH.