Narrative review estimates global MASLD prevalence at 38% and notes it surpassed viral hepatitis as China's leading cirrhosis causeReview finds MASLD is common globally and now leads cirrhosis in China

This narrative review synthesizes available data regarding Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) across a global setting, with specific attention to China. The scope of the publication focuses on epidemiological trends and disease burden rather than specific pharmacological interventions or randomized trials. Consequently, no specific medications, dosages, or adverse event rates are described in this source. The authors utilize observational data to characterize the current landscape of the disease.

The key findings synthesized in this review indicate that the global prevalence of MASLD is 38%. Furthermore, the authors estimate that deaths worldwide from complications related to MASLD were approximately 134,000 in 2019. A significant shift in etiology is highlighted for China, where MASLD has surpassed viral hepatitis as the leading cause of cirrhosis. These figures underscore the growing burden of metabolic liver disease on a global scale.

The authors note that this review provides critical scientific evidence for advancing liver disease prevention and management strategies. The ultimate goal is to reduce the disease burden and realize precise diagnosis and stratified treatment. However, because the source is a narrative review, causal inferences regarding specific treatments cannot be drawn, and the certainty of these prevalence estimates is limited by the observational nature of the included data. Practice relevance is framed around strategic planning rather than immediate clinical decision-making for individual patients.