Changes in the terminology and diagnostic criteria of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Implications and opportunities

Figure 5 Steatotic Liver Disease and its sub-categorization. This figure shows the schema for steatotic liver disease (SLD) and its sub-categorization. SLD, diagnosed by imaging studies or histology, has many potential causes. Metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD, defined as hepatic steatosis together with one cardiometabolic risk factor and no other apparent cause, ALD, and an overlap of the two (MetALD), comprise the most common causes of SLD. Other specific causes of SLD need to be considered separately, as they exhibit distinct pathogenesis. Multiple etiologies of steatosis can coexist in one case. Those with no identifiable cause are currently placed under the cryptogenic SLD category. However, these may be reclassified in the future in response to an increase in our understanding of disease pathophysiology. SLD: Steatotic liver disease.