A community conversation hosted by the Fatty Liver Foundation focused on the significance of the new nomenclature for liver diseases. This includes a shift from terms like NAFLD and NASH to the broader category of “steatotic liver disease” (SLD) and its subcategories, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Henry Chang, Executive Director of the Foundation, introduced the session, emphasizing the need for clear communication about these changes to improve patient care and reduce stigma. Wayne Eskridge, the Foundation’s founder, and Dr. Neeraj Mistry highlighted the importance of the new terminology in better defining the disease and facilitating a more nuanced understanding of patient care needs.

The session also included perspectives from patient advocate Jen Jones, who shared her personal journey with liver disease, underscoring the importance of eliminating stigma and improving patient support. The conversation emphasized the role of the new nomenclature in unifying different aspects of liver disease under one umbrella, which can enhance diagnosis, treatment, and research efforts.

Reference: Fatty Liver Foundation. Decoding the New Nomenclature: What SLD, MASLD, MASH, MetALD Mean for Patients and Providers. YouTube. Published November 10, 2023. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0GG5ijtIsw