Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Growing Problem

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is on the rise with time and more research and efforts are the need of the hour to control the epidemic.

In the United States, cases of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) have been on the rise. MAFLD is the leading cause of liver disease ().

What is Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease

MAFLD, previously //known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is fast becoming the most common indication for liver transplantation. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and a common type of liver cancer. If untreated, MAFLD can lead to liver cancer and liver failure.

“MAFLD affects Hispanics at a higher prevalence relative to Blacks and Whites. This racial/ethnic disparity is a public health concern,” said researcher Theodore C. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in Los Angeles, Calif. “Overall, the increase in MAFLD is concerning, as this condition can lead to liver failure and cardiovascular diseases and has an important health disparity.”

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‘The rate of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is on the rise among Mexican Americans. ’

The researchers analyzed data for 32,726 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 2018. “We found that overall, both MAFLD and obesity increased with time, with the increase in MAFLD greater than the increase in obesity,” Friedman said.

“The percent of people with MAFLD increased from 16% in 1988 to 37% in 2018 (a 131% increase) while the percent of obesity rose from 23% in 1988 to 40% in 2018 (a 74% increase),” said the study’s first author Magda Shaheen, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science. “The prevalence of MAFLD increased faster than the prevalence of obesity, suggesting that the increase in the other risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension may also contribute to the increase in the prevalence of MAFLD.”

Among Mexican Americans, the percent of MAFLD was higher at all times compared to the overall population. The percent increase of MAFLD in 2018 relative to 1988 was 133% among Whites, 61% among Mexican Americans and 56% among Blacks.

Test Your Knowledge on Liver Transplantation

Introduction

Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a diseased liver and replacing it or transplanting it with a whole or a portion of a healthy liver from a human donor.

People may be considered for liver transplantation when their liver fails to function properly due to infection, alcohol or cancer ().

In this quiz you will find answers for the following questions:

Indications for liver transplantation ()
Long term results of liver transplantation ()
Types of liver transplantation ()
Complications of liver transplantation ()
Signs of rejection after liver transplantation ()
Diagnosis of rejection after liver transplantation ()
About anti-rejection drugs ()

Reference:

ENDO 2023 - (https://www.endocrine.org/meetings-and-events/endo2023)

Source-Eurekalert

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