Metabolic fatty liver disease emerges as leading cause of cirrhosis

Medical research and clinical observations highlight the rising impact of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) and its advanced stage, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Research from Houston Methodist suggests that early-stage cirrhosis caused by MASH may show signs of improvement, challenging the long-held belief that such liver damage is irreversible.

In Argentina, fatty liver disease has become a primary cause of cirrhosis, surpassing alcohol consumption as the leading driver of the condition. Experts describe the rise of these metabolic liver diseases as a ‘silent epidemic,’ noting that symptoms often do not appear until significant damage, such as fibrosis or cancer, has occurred. The progression is closely linked to global increases in obesity and type 2 diabetes.