Researchers Uncover Two Distinct Types of Fatty Liver Disease
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Gothenburg have identified two distinct forms of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD): a liver-specific type and a systemic type that affects multiple organs. Published in two studies in Nature Medicine , this discovery offers hope for improved diagnosis and treatment for millions affected by this condition worldwide. Understanding MASLD MASLD, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. It is primarily caused by obesity and overweight, making it a significant and growing global health burden. Alarmingly, one in four adults worldwide is estimated to have MASLD, yet most are unaware of their condition as symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages. Left untreated, MASLD can progress to severe complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and organ failure. Key Findings By analyzing data from over 36,000 participant...
