Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is becoming increasingly common worldwide. According to major media reports, the condition now affects around one in five people in the UK, though other estimates suggest it may affect as many as one in three British adults. Globally, about one in six people (16%) are affected by MASLD, representing 1.3 billion people — a 143% increase in just three decades, according to major media reports. In 1990, there were about 500 million people living with MASLD, major media reports indicate. The global prevalence rate grew to 14,429 cases per 100,000 people in 2023, a 29% increase from 1990, according to major media reports. Projections indicate that metabolic liver disease will affect 1.8 billion people worldwide by 2050, a 42% rise from 2023, major media reports state. In the UK, the prevalence rate increased by 33% between 1990 and 2023, the biggest rise in western Europe, while Australia saw a 30% increase and the United States a 22% increase, according to major media reports.
MASLD is triggered by metabolic or lifestyle issues, including being overweight, Type 2 diabetes, poor diet, high waist measurement, low physical activity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, according to major media reports. The condition is more common in men than women and has the highest prevalence rates in older adults aged 80-84. However, the largest number of people affected are younger: around ages 35-39 in men and 55-59 in women. High blood sugar was the leading driver of MASLD-related health problems globally, followed by high BMI and smoking, according to major media reports.
Liver disease often develops silently with no obvious symptoms in early stages, Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust, told major media. MASLD does not usually cause any symptoms, and many people have the condition without realizing it, according to Vanessa Hebditch. This silent progression means that by the time symptoms appear, significant liver damage may have already occurred.
A new study presented by Dr Bryant Shuey of the University of Pittsburgh suggests that nearly one in ten US adults are both obese and drink heavily, increasing their risk of MASLD. The study analyzed drinking habits of 45,133 US adults using the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, according to multiple reports. Past-month heavy drinking was defined as 15 or more drinks a week for men or five or more a day, and exceeding eight drinks a week for women. Participants with a BMI of 30 or over were considered obese. Young to middle-aged adults were most likely to be obese and drink heavily, with around 12% of women aged 26 to 34 falling into this category. Prevalence of overlapping alcohol-use disorder and obesity was highest among young to middle-aged adults. Just 6% of men aged 65 and older were both obese and drinking more than 15 drinks a week.
Even one heavy drinking session a month could triple the risk of severe liver damage in people with MASLD, according to Dr Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine. The study on binge drinking was published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Binge drinking was defined as four or more drinks in a day for women, and five or more for men, at least once a month. More than half of participants reported occasional binge drinking, and nearly 16% of those with MASLD fell into this category. Those who engaged in occasional binge drinking had nearly three times the odds of developing advanced liver fibrosis.
Weight-loss medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy could help in the fight against liver disease, according to multiple reports. MASLD is often linked to being overweight and can usually be treated with lifestyle changes, major media reports indicate. However, the effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists like Mounjaro and Wegovy specifically for MASLD remains unclear, and further research is needed.
Several unknowns remain about MASLD. The exact prevalence in the UK is uncertain, with estimates ranging from one in five to one in three adults. The effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists in treating MASLD is not yet established. The reasons why younger adults (35-39 in men, 55-59 in women) are most affected are not fully understood. Additionally, the long-term prognosis for individuals who do not change their lifestyle is unclear.
Despite the rising prevalence, the overall impact on health — measured in years lost due to illness or death — has remained stable, suggesting advances in treatment and care, according to major media reports. This stability indicates that while more people are being diagnosed, the severity of the disease may be better managed than in the past.
The study on binge drinking was published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Binge drinking was defined as four or more drinks in a day for women, and five or more for men, at least once a month. Heavy drinking was defined as 15 or more drinks a week for men or five or more a day, and exceeding eight drinks a week for women.