What does MASH and fatty liver disease mean?
MASH is an advanced form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is an umbrella term for conditions caused by the build-up of excess fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol intake.
As fat accumulates in the liver, it can cause inflammation, which may lead to scarring of the liver, known as fibrosis. This is referred to as MASH. Around 20% of people living with MASLD progress and develop MASH2.
Ultimately, MASH can lead to loss of liver function, liver failure, and liver cancer3. And people living with MASH are facing higher risk of cardiovascular disease such as strokes, coronary heart disease and heart failure.
The severity of MASH is often measured based on the degree of scarring of the liver. Below you will find an illustration of the different stages of MASH.
- Img 01
- Img 02
- Img 03
- Img 04
- Img 05
MASH and MASLD are updated terms for conditions previously known as NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Similarly, "steatotic liver disease" is the current term for what was once called "fatty liver disease".
Is MASH reversible?
The severity of MASH is typically measured based on the degree of scarring of the liver. However, through early intervention such as lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and regular exercise, you can slow or even prevent the deterioration of your liver4.
As MASH progresses, there is an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, is also a serious concern in patients with advanced MASH5.
Irreversible cirrhosis may occur in the last stage of MASH and often the only treatment option is a liver transplant6.
There is an urgent need for earlier diagnosis of MASH so people can receive the right management to avoid disease progression7.
How important is managing MASH?
If you think you might be at risk of MASH or are already experiencing symptoms, it's important that you contact your healthcare provider.
Identifying and managing MASH early is essential to protecting your well-being as MASH can lead to further complications if left unmanaged, including:
- Heightened risk of end stage liver disease8
- Cirrhosis9
- Liver transplant10
- Liver cancer11
- Cardiovascular disease12
Related articles
- Fabrizia Carli, Lipid Metabolism in MASLD and MASH: from mechanism to the clinic: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589555924001897 Last accessed: October 2024
- Hannah K. Drescher, Current Status in Testing for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/8/8/845 Last accessed: September 2024
- Scott L Friedman, Hepatic Fibrosis and Cancer: The Silent Threats of Metabolic Syndrome: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10995486/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Kate Hallsworth, Lifestyle modification in NAFLD/NASH: Facts and figures: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7005657/ Last accessed: September 2024
- O'Hara J, Finnegan A, Dhillon H, et al. Cost of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in Europe and the USA: The GAIN study. JHEP Rep. 2020;2:100142: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32775976/ Last accessed: September 2024
- George Cholankeril, Hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: Current knowledge and implications for management: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5395802/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Ofosu A, Ramai D and Reddy M. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: controlling an emerging epidemic, challenges, and future directions. Ann Gastroenterol. 2018;31:288-295: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29720854/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Estes C, Razavi H, Loomba R, et al. Modeling the epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease demonstrates an exponential increase in burden of disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28802062/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Bashar Sharma, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470243/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Sara Battistella, Liver transplantation for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: indications and post-transplant management: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10029965/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Tesfay M, Goldkamp WJ, Neuschwander-Tetri BA. NASH: The Emerging Most Common Form of Chronic Liver: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30228727/ Last accessed: September 2024
- Tana C, Ballestri S, Ricci F, et al. Cardiovascular Risk in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Environ Res Public Health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31455011/ Last accessed: September 2024
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