Gastroenterology. 2026 Mar 9:S0016-5085(26)00198-8. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2026.01.047. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is becoming increasingly common, currently affecting approximately 30% of US adults. MASLD is most often managed in primary care or endocrine clinics, where clinicians must determine which patients may benefit from secondary care to address liver manifestations, comorbid metabolic traits, and cardiovascular risks of the disease. In 2021, the American Gastroenterological Association assembled a multidisciplinary panel of experts to develop a clinical care pathway to provide guidance on screening, diagnosing, and treating MASLD. Since that original Pathway was published, landmark studies have changed the way we approach patients with MASLD, including a new nomenclature and definition, as well as new FDA-approved medications. This paper describes updates to the MASLD Clinical Care Pathway based on the best available evidence and adds an implementation framework based on established implementation theories and models applicable to MASLD. This updated pathway is intended to be applicable in any setting providing care for patients with MASLD, including primary care, diabetology/endocrinology, cardiology, obesity medicine, and gastroenterology/hepatology practices.
PMID:41812830 | DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2026.01.047