Fatal Early-Onset Cirrhosis Secondary to MASLD in a Young Adult: A Case Report and Historical Overview

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. Its natural history is typically characterized by slow progression over decades. We describe a rare case of rapidly progressive MASLD in a young woman that culminated in decompensated cirrhosis, multiorgan failure, and death within one year of diagnosis—an unusually aggressive course that diverges from the typical trajectory of the disease. Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide and is generally characterized by slow progression over decades. Although progression to cirrhosis typically occurs over many years, rapidly progressive disease has rarely been described in young adults. We describe a rare case of rapidly progressive MASLD in a 25-year-old Hispanic woman that culminated in decompensated cirrhosis, multiorgan failure, and death within one year of diagnosis—an unusually aggressive course that diverges from the typical trajectory of the disease