Fatty liver disease, long viewed as a single diagnosis, actually breaks down into five biologically distinct forms, affecting about 30% of people. SciTechDaily reports this, according to infohub.kz.
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease divides into five independent subtypes. Previously, this condition, detected in nearly 30% of the world's adult population, was considered a single pathology. Data analysis showed that each of the five identified forms develops according to its own biological scenario.
The subtypes have specific characteristics and carry different health risks. They differ in the likelihood of cardiovascular complications, progression to liver failure, cancer, and the need for organ transplantation. In addition, scientists discovered genetic forms characterized by rapid disease progression.
The authors hope that identifying specific forms of the pathology will allow personalized therapy for each patient, taking into account their individual characteristics. In the future, the researchers plan to validate the findings in a larger group of patients and assess the effectiveness of existing treatments for each subtype.