Mayo Clinic scientists identify five distinct forms of fatty liver disease

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and Virginia Tech found five biologically distinct subtypes of MASLD, which affects nearly 30% of adults worldwide. Some forms are tied to obesity and diabetes, others to inherited genetic differences, with genetic subtypes more likely to progress to severe liver damage. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

• MASLD affects nearly 30% of adults worldwide
• Analysis covered more than 4,600 MASLD patients
• Five subtypes show different complication risks
• Genetic forms more often lead to severe liver damage