A new definition for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: An international expert consensus statement
- PMID: 32278004
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.03.039
A new definition for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: An international expert consensus statement
Abstract
The exclusion of other chronic liver diseases including "excess" alcohol intake has until now been necessary to establish a diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, given our current understanding of the pathogenesis of MAFLD and its rising prevalence, "positive criteria" to diagnose the disease are required. In this work, a panel of international experts from 22 countries propose a new definition for the diagnosis of MAFLD that is both comprehensive and simple, and is independent of other liver diseases. The criteria are based on evidence of hepatic steatosis, in addition to one of the following three criteria, namely overweight/obesity, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, or evidence of metabolic dysregulation. We propose that disease assessment and stratification of severity should extend beyond a simple dichotomous classification to steatohepatitis vs. non-steatohepatitis. The group also suggests a set of criteria to define MAFLD-associated cirrhosis and proposes a conceptual framework to consider other causes of fatty liver disease. Finally, we bring clarity to the distinction between diagnostic criteria and inclusion criteria for research studies and clinical trials. Reaching consensus on the criteria for MAFLD will help unify the terminology (e.g. for ICD-coding), enhance the legitimacy of clinical practice and clinical trials, improve clinical care and move the clinical and scientific field of liver research forward.
Keywords: Cirrhosis; Diabetes; Diagnostic criteria; MAFLD; Metabolic; NAFLD; Obesity; Steatohepatitis.
Copyright © 2020 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest that pertain to this work. Please refer to the accompanying ICMJE disclosure forms for further details.
Comment in
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From NAFLD to MAFLD: when pathophysiology succeeds.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Jul;17(7):387-388. doi: 10.1038/s41575-020-0316-6. Epub 2020 May 27. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32461575 No abstract available.
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Reply to: Correspondence on "A new definition for metabolic associated fatty liver disease: an international expert consensus statement": MAFLD: Moving from a concept to practice.J Hepatol. 2020 Nov;73(5):1268-1269. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.036. Epub 2020 Aug 13. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32800588 No abstract available.
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MAFLD criteria overlooks a number of patients with severe steatosis: Is it clinically relevant?J Hepatol. 2020 Nov;73(5):1265-1267. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.016. Epub 2020 Aug 17. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32819754 No abstract available.
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Blood biomarkers for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.J Hepatol. 2020 Nov;73(5):1264-1265. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.003. Epub 2020 Aug 21. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32839034 No abstract available.
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The times they are a-changin' (for NAFLD as well).J Hepatol. 2020 Dec;73(6):1307-1309. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.08.028. Epub 2020 Sep 2. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32890593 No abstract available.
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Reply to: correspondence regarding "A new definition for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: An international expert consensus statement": Bringing evidence to the NAFLD-MAFLD debate.J Hepatol. 2020 Dec;73(6):1575. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.07.045. Epub 2020 Sep 12. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32933781 No abstract available.
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Letter regarding "A new definition for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: An international expert consensus statement".J Hepatol. 2020 Dec;73(6):1573-1574. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.07.008. Epub 2020 Sep 17. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32951910 No abstract available.
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Validation of Baveno VI and expanded Baveno VI criteria to identify high-risk varices in patients with MAFLD-related compensated cirrhosis.J Hepatol. 2020 Dec;73(6):1571-1573. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.042. Epub 2020 Sep 21. J Hepatol. 2020. PMID: 32972730 No abstract available.
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A new definition for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):982-983. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.09.002. Epub 2020 Dec 16. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33340572 No abstract available.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Not time for an obituary just yet!J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):972-974. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.10.015. Epub 2020 Dec 16. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33340575 No abstract available.
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Insights into contribution of genetic variants towards the susceptibility of MAFLD revealed by the NMR-based lipoprotein profiling.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):974-977. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.10.019. Epub 2020 Dec 16. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33340578 No abstract available.
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Is the name 'NAFLD' too big to fail? Let's keep it for 'nutrition-associated fatty liver disease'.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):988. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.011. Epub 2020 Dec 16. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33340579 No abstract available.
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"Dual aetiology fatty liver disease": A recently proposed term associated with potential pitfalls.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):979-982. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.004. Epub 2020 Dec 16. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33340582 No abstract available.
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MAFLD: A game changer redefining fatty liver disease for adults and children.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):992-994. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.004. Epub 2021 Jan 13. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33453327 No abstract available.
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MAFLD: A holistic view to redefining fatty liver disease.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):983-985. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.027. Epub 2021 Jan 13. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33453330 No abstract available.
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Yet more evidence that MAFLD is more than a name change.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):977-979. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.025. Epub 2021 Jan 13. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33453331 No abstract available.
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The sub-Saharan Africa position statement on the redefinition of fatty liver disease: From NAFLD to MAFLD.J Hepatol. 2021 May;74(5):1256-1258. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.015. Epub 2021 Jan 20. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33484771 No abstract available.
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Hypertension in NAFLD: An uncontrolled burden.J Hepatol. 2021 May;74(5):1258-1260. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.019. Epub 2021 Jan 22. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33485968 No abstract available.
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NAFLD to MAFLD in adults but the saga continues in children: an opportunity to advocate change.J Hepatol. 2021 Apr;74(4):991-992. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.032. Epub 2021 Jan 23. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33493527 No abstract available.
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Capturing patient experience: A qualitative study of change from NAFLD to MAFLD real-time feedback.J Hepatol. 2021 May;74(5):1261-1262. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.022. Epub 2021 Jan 23. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33497764 No abstract available.
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Change from NAFLD to MAFLD increases the awareness of fatty liver disease in primary care physicians and specialists.J Hepatol. 2021 May;74(5):1254-1256. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.035. Epub 2021 Feb 11. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 33582129 No abstract available.
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Mit Fitness gegen die Fettleber!MMW Fortschr Med. 2021 May;163(9):10-11. doi: 10.1007/s15006-021-9914-7. MMW Fortschr Med. 2021. PMID: 33961235 German. No abstract available.
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Population-specific cut-off points of fatty liver index for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis.J Hepatol. 2021 Sep;75(3):726-728. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.05.039. Epub 2021 Jun 10. J Hepatol. 2021. PMID: 34118334 No abstract available.
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MAFLD: perceived stigma-a single-center Mexican patient survey.Hepatol Int. 2023 Apr;17(2):507-508. doi: 10.1007/s12072-022-10448-y. Epub 2022 Dec 6. Hepatol Int. 2023. PMID: 36474091 No abstract available.
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