When a new definition overhauls perceptions of MAFLD related cirrhosis care

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) (1), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is a major causes of liver cirrhosis (2). MAFLD represents a growing global health and economic burden since approximately one in four people have the disease (3). As a consequence, MAFLD-related cirrhosis is expected to become the leading cause for liver failure and liver cancer, and the major indication for liver transplantation this century (3).

Improvement in diagnosis

The diagnosis of MAFLD cirrhosis poses unique challenges for clinicians. Essentially, two patient groups are possible, one who meet the current criteria for MAFLD and the second, a group that has the clinical profile of MAFLD but without significant hepatic steatosis (<5%). The latter group by current definitions, is termed cryptogenic cirrhosis. Most clinicians believe that the majority of these patients represent MAFLD in which hepatic steatosis is no longer present. Indeed, a plausible and cogent explanation for the phenotype exists with van der Poorten et al. (4), demonstrating that an intimate relationship between adiponectin levels, bile acids, and adipocyte fexaramine activation in vivo and in vitro results in hepatic fat loss in cirrhosis from MAFLD. While there remains debate as to whether all cryptogenic cirrhosis is a consequence of MAFLD, Thuluvath et al. (5), demonstrated that cryptogenic cirrhosis at least as listed in the UNOS database, likely represents cirrhosis related to MAFLD as well as a range of other previously undiagnosed conditions (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, alcohol associated liver disease etc.). The sum of this data suggests that a clearer definition is needed to unequivocally define cirrhosis resulting from MAFLD. The newly proposed diagnostic criteria for MAFLD cirrhosis by Eslam et al. (6), includes past or present evidence of metabolic risk factors for MAFLD in addition to either evidence of MAFLD on prior liver biopsy or historical documentation of steatosis by hepatic imaging (or other means). With these positive criteria, patients previously diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis (due to lack of histological features of steatosis) may now be identified correctly as MAFLD cirrhosis. Unfortunately, because of lack of prior awareness of the prevalence of MAFLD by both patients and practitioners alike, there will remain a subset diagnosed with cirrhosis at presentation and no liver fat, whose liver disease is most likely a consequence of MAFLD, but in whom other etiologies such as alcohol and autoimmune disease cannot be excluded. Cryptogenic cirrhosis will remain the most appropriate term for these individuals. It is worth noting that the proposed criteria do not preclude MAFLD cirrhosis patients from having a contribution to their cirrhosis for alcohol, autoimmune disease, etc. (i.e., two or more etiologies is possible and even likely). In this context, the new definition provides a conceptual framework for categorization. With time and increasing awareness of MAFLD, we expect that there will be a shift to fewer cases of so-called cryptogenic cirrhosis as MAFLD is diagnosed using the positive criteria proposed, prior to the development of cirrhosis.

Management of MAFLD-cirrhosis

There is no one-size-fits-all approach for managing liver cirrhosis; this is also true for MAFLD related cirrhosis. The major focus of treatment for MAFLD cirrhosis comprises management of complications related to decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. However, this reactionary approach often places a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Aside from treating decompensation events, cirrhosis management should focus on education, lifestyle modification, protecting the liver from further injury (e.g., through vaccination for viral hepatitis and avoidance of hepatotoxic medications), and care coordination (2).

The liver has considerable regenerative potential, and cirrhosis regression and “re-compensation” have been described in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis following abstention from alcohol, cure of hepatitis C or suppression of hepatitis B, and as well in the context of steatohepatitis, after bariatric surgery (2). To slow disease progression in MAFLD cirrhosis, diet and exercise can be an effective intervention, but it remains critical to avoid sarcopenia. In addition, sarcopenia is an adverse prognostic factor in patients with HCC (7). While physical activity is important, meticulous attention to body composition that includes body fat and skeletal muscle mass is needed when managing patients with MAFLD cirrhosis.

Appropriate surveillance for HCC and gastroesophageal varices is recommended because it improves overall survival. HCC screening in these patients is achieved by utilizing imaging modalities and measuring serum alpha-fetoprotein every 6 months (8). It should be noted however that the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound-based surveillance in cirrhosis is suboptimal, while obesity can further impact good hepatic visualization. It was recently demonstrated that in 224 Chinese patients with MAFLD related compensated cirrhosis, Baveno VI Criteria (9) can be used as a risk stratification tool for the presence of high-risk varices (10). However, the time interval for variceal screening remains uncertain because obesity worsens the progression of cirrhosis from any etiology; thus, more frequent screening might be indicated in high risk patients (9).

Precision care for MAFLD-cirrhosis

Care for MAFLD cirrhosis patients is complex. It is noteworthy that a recent report from 29 European countries (Norway, Switzerland and all European Union countries expect for Malta) reported that none had written strategies or action plans for this disease (11). As a result, physicians (non-hepatologists) are not likely to recognize MAFLD cirrhosis and to subsequently administer the most appropriate care. From 2013 to 2015, three hospitals in the UK implemented a ‘care bundle’ to ensure evidence-based treatments are delivered to cirrhosis patients within 24 h of hospital admission (12). The care bundle allowed physicians (non-specialists) to follow a simple checklist of important initial investigations, and provided step-by-step guidance for managing infections, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, gastrointestinal bleeding and acute kidney injury. Though the process often required repeated education and reinforcement, Dyson et al. (12) reported major improvements in the delivery of indicated care (i.e., increased rates of endoscopic screening, ascitic taps, administration of terlipressin and prophylactic antibiotics) following introduction of the care bundle. The success of the ‘care bundle’ provides a new vista for ways to manage MAFLD cirrhosis from diagnosis to appropriate care (see Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Summary of non-specific (A) and MAFLD-specific (B) care elements for managing MAFLD related cirrhosis.

Outside of hospital settings, MAFLD patients will likely receive enormous benefits from chronic disease management (CDM) (13), a concept for optimizing care between hospital visits to improve disease outcomes. CMD protocolizes medical care delivery, self-management, and community support. For example, prevention of gastroesophageal bleeding is more likely to be achieved with a system in place for personalized alerts for periodic surveillance. Similarly, lifestyle intervention is best accomplished by self-management where patients can benefit from continuous feedback on their weight loss goals and activity levels. Community support also involves a patient’s social networks (e.g., family, friends, caregiver) and has considerable impact on their ability to manage their disease. Moreover, healthcare provider and nurse-led management can ensure and aid the implementation of highly individualized CDM protocols.

Future of MAFLD-cirrhosis care

The new diagnosis criteria have great potential to improve the care of MAFLD patients with cirrhosis. With a clear diagnosis, innovative biometrics may be investigated to properly identify the predictors of decompensation events and risk of future HCC. Further understanding of metabolic dysfunction among MAFLD patients will permit the best refinement of individualised predictions of outcomes. Many hepatologists are already experimenting with multi-disciplinary approaches (involving nutrition, diabetology, cardiology, renal, etc.) in their management of MAFLD patients. This promotes the integration of multi-disciplinary approaches to CDM in a scientifically rigorous manner. Thus, we encourage colleagues to conduct studies to help shape the future of MAFLD-specific cirrhosis care and to come together as a medical community to share knowledge of existing care models and how to best translate them into the practice setting.

Currently, there is very little knowledge and data on how to better treat patients with MAFLD cirrhosis. Even if there were, we need to have mechanisms in place to evaluate the efficacy of management. Assessing the quality of care, especially in the absence of an established algorithm tailored specifically for these patients is problematic. Kanwal et al. (14), recently reported a gap between care indicated and care delivered for cirrhotic patients by evaluating eight quality indicators that they developed. Such methodology can provide a framework for evaluating the current and future management of MAFLD cirrhosis. The application of personalized care for MAFLD cirrhosis patients can be expected to yield two benefits: promotion of care quality by improving outcomes and an increase in return-on-healthcare-investment to alleviate the economic burden of MAFLD. However, to achieve this, adequate resources need to be allocated for developing, establishing and implementing an effective and precise algorithm for the management of MAFLD cirrhosis in and outside of the hospital setting.

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