Don’t overlook obesity in your patients with MASLD*
Learn about the connection between this common comorbidity for your patients with obesity and how it can affect their health.
*While these data are specific to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the presently accepted term of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been applied.
MASLD may progress to the more severe MASH
A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that MASLD was present in nearly 60% of patients with obesity1
~30%
of adults worldwidehave MASLD2*
*Prevalence of MASLD during the 1990-2019 survey year.2
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by the buildup of excess fat in the liver in patients who do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol.3
Obesity, along with dietary and environmental factors, can lead to raised levels of3:
- Free fatty acids (FFAs)
- Free cholesterol
- Other lipid metabolites
An increase in hepatic FFAs can lead to fat accumulation in the liver in the form of triglycerides. In certain patients, this can progress to inflammation and liver damage.4
Waist circumference—more than elevated BMI—can increase risk for MASLD5
BMI, body mass index; MASH, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
BRING OBESITY TO THE FOREFRONT
WITH YOUR PATIENTS WITH MASLD
AACE/ACE guidelines recommend that patients with obesity and MASLD should be managed with lifestyle intervention, targeting 4% to 10% weight loss.6
DISEASE PROGRESSION
Obesity is caused by a range of factors7,8
INITIATING A PLAN
Patients may be waiting for health care professionals to discuss weight management
References:
1. Le MH, Yeo YH, Li X, et al. 2019 Global NAFLD prevalence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;20(12):2809-2817.e28.
2. Younossi ZM, Golabi P, Palk JM, Henry A, Van Dongen C, Henry L. The global epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): a systematic review. Hepatology. 2023;77(4):1335-1347.
3. Buzzetti E, Pinzani M, Tsochatzis EA. The multiple-hit pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Metabolism. 2016;65(8):1038-1048.
4. Godoy-Matos AF, Silva Júnior WS, Valerio CM. NAFLD as a continuum: from obesity to metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2020;12:60.
5. Cotter TG, Rinella M. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 2020: the state of the disease. Gastroenterology. 2020;158(7):1851-1864.
6. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al; Reviewers of the AACE/ACE Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(suppl 3):1-203.
7. Lee A, Cardel M, Donahoo WT. Social and environmental factors influencing obesity. Updated October 12, 2019. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt BB, Blackman MR, et al eds. Endotext. [Internet]. South Dartmouth, MA: MDText.com; 2000. Accessed September 23, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278977/
8. Thaker VV. Genetic and epigenetic causes of obesity. Adolesc Med State Art Rev. 2017;28(2):379-405.
