Possibilities and disadvantages of modern non-invasive methods of diagnostics of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease is a widespread disease whose incidence is increasing worldwide and has become one of the leading causes of terminal stages of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma with increased liver-related morbidity and mortality and overall. The new term, fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction, has a set of positive diagnostic criteria and has been shown to have great clinical utility. Currently, there are no standardized universal screening methods for liver steatosis, despite the fact that this disease has a significant impact on health. Metabolic-associated fatty disease encompasses a wide range of conditions, from simple steatosis and steatohepatitis to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also accompanied by numerous extrahepatic manifestations such as cardiovascular disease, malignancies outside the liver, and cognitive and respiratory changes. Given the extensive target organs affected and the high prevalence of the disease, it is critical to timely identify individuals at high risk of metabolic dysfunction. Liver biopsy has so far been considered the reference method for assessing the stage of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Given the limitations of biopsy for large-scale screening, non-invasive tests to assess the stage of steatosis and fibrosis, including serum-based algorithms and methods based on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, will play an increasing role in the management of patients with MAFLD. This article presents a review of the scientific evidence on non-invasive diagnostic options used in clinical practice to detect hepatic steatosis.