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Targher et al. Hepatoma Res 2020;6:64 Hepatoma Research
DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2020.71

Commentary Open Access

From nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to metabolic
dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: is it time

for a change of terminology?

Giovanni Targher , Christopher D. Byrne 2
1
1 Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Verona, Verona 37126, Italy.
2 Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton,
Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.

Correspondence to: Prof. Giovanni Targher, Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism,
University of Verona, Verona, Piazzale A. Stefani 1, Verona 37126, Italy. E-mail: giovanni.targher@univr.it

How to cite this article: Targher G, Byrne CD. From nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty
liver disease: is it time for a change of terminology? Hepatoma Res 2020;6:64. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2020.71

Received: 27 Jul 2020 First Decision: 18 Aug 2020 Revised: 19 Aug 2020 Accepted: 19 Aug 2020 Published: 12 Sep 2020

Academic Editor: Stefano Bellentani Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Jing Yu

Received: First Decision: Revised: Accepted: Published:
Abstract
Science Editor: Copy Editor: Production Editor: Jing Yu Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common cause of liver disease in many parts of
the world, causing considerable liver-related (steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma)
and extra-hepatic morbidity and mortality (mainly cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease or certain types
of extra-hepatic cancers). Recently, based on insights gained from the past two decades, an international panel
of experts from 22 countries has taken the initiative to propose a new name and definition for NAFLD in adult
individuals - that is, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. This proposed change in nomenclature
is not simply a semantic revision, but may facilitate improved diagnosis of this common liver disease for health
promotion, case identification, patient awareness, ongoing clinical trials and health services delivery. The aim
of this commentary is to discuss the proposal for a change in nomenclature of this common and burdensome
liver disease and to address the “pros and cons” for changing the name according to the perspective of different
stakeholders.

Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, liver fat,
commentary

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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