Raj, R. (2022). Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease as the New Nomenclature for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Medical Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 6.2(2), 4-5. doi: 10.21608/mjvh.2022.234476
Rishi Raj. "Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease as the New Nomenclature for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease". Medical Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 6.2, 2, 2022, 4-5. doi: 10.21608/mjvh.2022.234476
Raj, R. (2022). 'Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease as the New Nomenclature for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease', Medical Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 6.2(2), pp. 4-5. doi: 10.21608/mjvh.2022.234476
Raj, R. Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease as the New Nomenclature for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Medical Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 2022; 6.2(2): 4-5. doi: 10.21608/mjvh.2022.234476
Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease as the New Nomenclature for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, KY, USA.
Abstract
Over the course of last few decades, the name “nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)” has faced severe criticism from numerous experts. This is because the term “non-alcoholic” in NAFLD plays a prominent role in the definition of NAFLD while underscoring the role of metabolic disease as the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism. It is well known to be associated with various components of metabolic syndrome such as, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In fact, many experts consider NAFLD to be the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The negative nomenclature has led to trivialization of NAFLD as a health condition in the past which might have resulted in it becoming a global pandemic. Hence a change in nomenclature from NAFLD to metabolic associated fatty liver disease or 'MAFLD' is welcoming. This change in nomenclature would bring this disease close to its pathophysiology and would also promote research, enhance clinician’s understanding, and improve clinical care of the patients.