The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in Asia

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） is a common chronic liver disease worldwide， with a global prevalence rate of 30.1%， and there is a tendency of increase in the prevalence rate of MAFLD， with a significant increase in Latin America （44.4%） and Asia， where the prevalence rate of MAFLD was increased by 16.6% from 2010 to 2021. There are notable regional differences within Asia. The Chinese physical examination data show that the overall detection rate of hepatic steatosis is 44.4%， and the detection rate in North China （53.5%） is significantly higher than that in South China （34.2%）； the prevalence rate is 22.3% in Japan and 38.1% in Iran. This disease is closely associated with metabolic disorder. Globally， 65% of diabetic patients have MAFLD （53.2% in the Asia-Pacific region）， and the prevalence rate of MAFLD in overweight Asian populations （BMI ≥23 kg/m²） reaches 47.7% to 63.4%， even with a prevalence rate of 19.2% （up to 47.7% in India） in non-obese individuals. The new diagnostic criteria are developed based on the combination of hepatic steatosis and metabolic disorder and are of particular significance in Asia with a high prevalence rate of chronic hepatitis B， and the coexistence of the two may accelerate the progression of liver cancer. Asia is facing unique challenges such as a high proportion of patients with non-obese MAFLD and doubling of the incidence rates of liver cirrhosis complications and the mortality rates of liver cancer in 2030. Although current guidelines recommend a stepwise screening strategy using FIB-4， there is still a need to enhance the implementation of primary care and the health awareness among the public and develop early intervention regimens tailored to the features of the Asian population， in order to address this major public health crisis.