The Metabolically Dysfunctional-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affected 1.3 billion people around the globe in 2023, according to a new study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal today. The alarming study estimates the numbers to further spike by over 38 percent to reach 1.8 billion cases by 2050, causing substantial health and economic impacts worldwide. The research, based on the Global Burden of Disease study across 204 countries and territories, showed that MASLD remains one of the most prevalent and rapidly growing liver conditions worldwide, with its prevalence marking a 143 percent increase between 1990 and 2023. What Is MASLD? What Is Driving The Surge? MASLD is an umbrella term for liver conditions that develop in the presence of 1 or more cardiometabolic risk factors—including high blood sugar, elevated body mass index (BMI), and hypertension—but in the absence of other causes of liver fat accumulation. MAFLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, can be defined by excess liver fat accumulation (more than 5 per cent of liver weight) in the presence of metabolic dysfunction, independent of alcohol intake. It encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. According to the study authors, the rising cases are primarily driven by global population growth in combination with changes in lifestyle, such as rising obesity and high blood sugar levels. MASLD Lancet Study: Who Is More Affected? The findings highlight that MASLD is increasingly affecting younger adults in low- and middle-income countries, amid urbanization and lifestyle changes. Some regions, including North Africa and the Middle East, had disproportionately higher rates of MASLD compared with other regions.India has shown a sharp rise in MASLD prevalence, up 23.19 per cent from 1990 to 2023. India’s age-standardized MASLD prevalence rate rose from 10,191 per 100,000 in 1990 to 12,555 per 100,000 in 2023. The findings show that the spike is increasingly driven by rising metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar and obesity. Also read: Why Metabolic Fatty Liver Disease Is Rising as India’s Most Common Liver ConditionThe study examined 3 modifiable risk factors —smoking, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose. Of these, high fasting plasma glucose contributed the most to MASLD-related disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, accounting for 2.2 per 100,000 people in 2023. High BMI ranked second at 1.4 per 100,000, followed by smoking at 1.0 per 100,000. In North Africa and the Middle East, elevated fasting glucose alone contributed 9.13 DALYs per 100,000, approximately 4 times the global average. Notably, men had higher age-standardized prevalence rates than women. However, women older than age 69 had higher DALY rates than men of the same age.MASLD: Signs To Watch For? How To Prevent? People with obesity, diabetes, central or abdominal fat, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance are more likely to have MASLD. Obesity is the strongest risk factor, with the likelihood rising steeply from overweight to severe obesity.Other signs to watch for include persistent fatigueDigestive issues and bloatingUnexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weightSkin changesMASLD is a highly modifiable condition, especially at early stages. There are evidence that show that weight loss reduces liver fat and inflammation. Rapid dietary transition towards ultra-processed, high-calorie foods compounds the risk. Thus, a balanced diet without or with very low sugar and ultra-processed food, which helps in control of diabetes and cholesterol can help slow down disease progression. Regular physical activity also improves insulin sensitivity.