Medical Implications of Renaming Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Choi, Yu-Jin; Son, Chang-Gue; Choi, Yu-Jin; Son, Chang-Gue

doi:2025.46.2.40

JKM > Volume 46(2); 2025 > Article

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

J Korean Med. 2025;46(2): 40-50. doi: https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25016

비알코올성 지방간질환(NAFLD)에서 대사기능장애 지방간질환(MASLD)으로 질병명 변경의 의학적 의미 고찰

최유진

, 손창규

대전대학교 한방병원 간장면역센터

Medical Implications of Renaming Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Yu-Jin Choi

, and Chang-Gue Son

Liver and Immunology Research Center, Korean Medical College in Daejeon University

Corresponding Author: Chang-Gue Son ,Tel: +82 42 484 6484, Fax: +82-42-257-6398, Email: ckson@dju.ac.kr

Received: March 17, 2025; Revised: April 21, 2025. Accepted: May 22, 2025.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The recent renaming of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) reflects an evolving understanding of its pathophysiology. This review aims to examine the medical significance of this nomenclature change, focusing on its rationale, clinical implications, and potential impact on patient management.
Methods: A literature review was conducted to analyze the historical background, diagnostic criteria, and clinical relevance of the transition from NAFLD to MASLD. Key publications and expert consensus statements were evaluated to assess the implications of this nomenclature change on disease perception, diagnosis, and treatment approaches.
Results: The shift from NAFLD to MASLD highlights the central role of metabolic dysfunction in disease progression, providing a more precise and inclusive classification. The revised terminology not only reduces the stigma associated with the term “non-alcoholic” but also enhances disease awareness and its medical significance, aligning with recent advancements in liver disease research. Additionally, it supports a more standardized diagnostic framework, facilitating earlier detection and appropriate therapeutic strategies
Conclusions: The renaming of NAFLD to MASLD represents a significant paradigm shift in hepatology. This study provides Korean medical practitioners with a new perspective, emphasizing the role of metabolic dysfunction-related liver disease as a key driver of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic systemic disorders.

Keywords: MASLD | NAFLD | nomenclature change | metabolic dysfunction | liver disease classification