Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease is Renamed

A global consensus panel, mainly comprising hepatology researchers and clinicians, has introduced new nomenclature for liver diseases. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will now be referred to as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Under the new nomenclature, people with MASLD must have a cardiometabolic risk factor, such as type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) will replace the term non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A doctor from the University of Chicago Medicine led the consensus group, advocating these changes to eliminate potential stigma associated with “fatty liver disease” and “nonalcoholic” terms and to better represent the metabolic dysfunction involved.

A third term, Steatotic liver disease or SLD will now be used to encompass various causes of fat accumulation in the liver.

The new nomenclature was the result of a 3-year effort involving 236 panellists from 56 countries who participated in several rounds of online surveys. The changes were made based on a super-majority (67% or higher) of opinion, and although there was no clear consensus on whether the term “fatty” was stigmatising, “non-alcoholic” was considered problematic by more respondents. Paediatricians, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and patient advocates also participated in the process.

During the transition period for these new names to be adopted and for the everyone to understand them, our website will continue to use the existing terminology (alongside the new terms where appropriate).

References

Rinella, M.E., Lazarus, J.V., Vlad Ratziu, Francque, S.M., Sanyal, A.J., Kanwal, F., Romero, D., Abdelmalek, M.F., Anstee, Q.M., Juan Pablo Arab, Arrese, M., Bataller, R., Ulrich Beuers, Boursier, J., Elisabetta Bugianesi, Byrne, C., Castro, G.E., Chowdhury, A., Cortez-Pinto, H. and Cryer, D. (2023). A multi-society Delphi consensus statement on new fatty liver disease nomenclature. Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/hep.0000000000000520.

North, N. (2023). Introduction of new terminology for fatty liver diseases. [online] British Liver Trust. Available at: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/introduction-of-new-terminology-for-fatty-liver-diseases/ [Accessed 21 Jul. 2023].