Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Abstract

Background: A novel concept consensus by an international panel of experts recommended a change in name for NAFLD to metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The new definition is a landmark in hepatology bringing a new way of thinking about diseases of the liver that are associated with fat deposition and metabolic dysfunction Importantly, this â�?�?MAFLD definitionâ�? avoid the dichotomous view of NAFL and NASH, since it is based in â�?�?positiveâ�? criterion (evidence of hepatic steatosis) instead of â�?�?negativeâ�? criterion hard to exclude. Lean NAFLD is defined as hepatic steatosis with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 in non-Asian people or BMI < 23 kg/m2 in Asians. At present, it is not possible to define a phenotype of Metabolic Healthy Obesity (MHO) due to the lack of consensus. This disparity is due to the difference in defining metabolic health found by some authors when studying the phenotypes of subjects with unhealthy metabolic weight. We generally associate the development of NAFLD Patients with Obesity, but in opposition to this, lean patients can also develop this disease, especially when we find visceral obesity associated with a strong genetic predisposition and an altered and unhealthy diet pattern. Here is the importance of addressing important concepts such as metabolic unhealthy normal weight, MUHO, MHO, as well as the interrelationship that all of them have with the distribution of body fat. For this reason, for the sake of understanding and finding a clinical-pathophysiological relationship of the disease, I try to follow a route which helps me to better understand said relationship of importance in the study of Metabolic Association of Fatty Liver. It is essential to start from the term MAFLD which follows 2 routes, one in obese patients and the other in non-obese patients. Keywords: MAFLD; Lean NAFLD; Lean MAFLD; Non obese NAFLD; MHNW and MONW; Metabolic Health and Metabolic Healthy Obese.

Biography

Michel González Sánchez, 1st Degree Specialist in Family Medicine, Master in Bioethics from the “San Vicente Martir” University of Valencia, Diploma in Internal Medicine, Member of the Global Liver Institute and the American Liver Foundation, United European Gastroenterology Associate Medical, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.