Biochemical assessment of metabolic associated fatty liver disease
Adv Lab Med. 2021 Mar 15;2(2):199-219.
doi: 10.1515/almed-2021-0009.
eCollection 2021 May.
[Article in
English,
Spanish]
Affiliations
- 1 Commission on Biochemistry of Liver Disease, Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC-ML), Barcelona, Spain.
- 2 Service of Clinical Analysis, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain.
- 3 Service of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, CDB, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain.
- 4 Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology (SEPD), Madrid, Spain.
- 5 Service of Digestive System, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Clinical and Traslational Research Group on Digestive Disorders, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain.
- 6 Service of Clinical Analysis, Hospital de Barbastro, Huesca, Spain.
- 7 Service of Clinical Analysis and Biochemistry, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.
- 8 Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Unit of Liver Disease, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- 9 Department of Biomedicine of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Service of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is defined as fat accumulation in the liver in the presence of metabolic alterations. This disorder is generally asymptomatic and may progress to severe liver disease, which are linked to inflammation and/or fibrosis. MAFLD has a high prevalence (26%) and therefore a considerable number of patients are at high risk of having advanced liver disease. This document provides an overview of the most relevant serological markers in the characterization and diagnosis of MAFLD. An example is provided of a routine diagnostic algorithm that incorporates serological testing. A range of useful serological scores are currently available for the management of MAFLD patients, especially for the stratification of patients at risk of fibrosis. A large proportion of the population is at risk of developing severe liver disease. The integration of non-invasive serological markers in the stratification of patients at risk for liver fibrosis may contribute to improve the control and management of MAFLD patients.
Keywords:
hepatic steatosis; liver fibrosis; metabolic-associated fatty liver disease; serum markers; steatohepatitis.
© 2021 Armando R. Guerra-Ruiz et al., published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.