HEPNET Position Statement-I, Case Definition, Classification, Screening & Diagnosis of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in Pakistan: A Resource for Primary and Secondary Care Physicians

The Hep-Net position paper comes at a significant time in the history of Metabolically Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) due to the rapid rise in this disease entity in the past decade. Metabolically Associated Fatty Liver Disease, by its very name, encompasses several common metabolic disease entities, top among those being diabetes and obesity. For Pakistan, the situation is serious as it is among the top 10 countries globally regarding the prevalence of obesity and number one in terms of diabetes, with over a quarter of adults affected. There remains slight ambiguity as regards the nomenclature of MAFLD, with western societies preferring to remove the word "fatty" and substitute with `'steatotic" i.e. MASLD. Regardless of names/titles the metabolic nature of the disease and its management remains the same and fortunately, that is something where universal consensus is present. Under the umbrella of Hep-Net, eminent hepatologists from all over Pakistan have pooled their efforts to formulate guidelines that are specifically tailored to the Pakistani population, its specific lifestyle and relevant interventions that are needed to treat fatty/steatotic liver disease. By virtue of its multi-systemic consequences, metabolic fatty liver disease represents the most significant and expensive disease entity, globally. Prevention, through public education and timely intervention in diagnosed cases will serve to avert a healthcare storm that will far outweigh viral hepatitis.