Overview
- An analysis in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology estimates 1.3 billion people had metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in 2023, up about 143% since 1990, with cases projected to near 1.8 billion by 2050.
- MASLD is fat buildup in the liver linked to metabolic syndrome, often showing no symptoms for years but raising the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer if untreated.
- Researchers identify high fasting blood sugar, high body‑mass index and smoking as the leading drivers, while stable years‑lost metrics suggest earlier detection and better care even as more people live with early‑stage disease.
- The burden is uneven across regions with higher rates in North Africa and the Middle East, sharp growth in India since 1990, and a shift toward younger adults, especially men in their late 30s and women in their late 50s.
- Experts call for prevention, targeted screening and policy action, with early signs that weight‑loss drugs such as tirzepatide may help reduce liver fat though they are not widely approved for MASLD treatment.