Carr, Rotonya M.

This practice recommendation serves as an update to the 2023 AASLD Practice Guidance on the clinical assessment and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now known as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and provides implementable guidance on patient selection for treatment, consideration of comorbidities, and monitoring of treatment safety and efficacy of semaglutide. FDA-indication and Practice Recommendation: The Wegovy formulation, whose main ingredient is semaglutide, received accelerated FDA approval in August 2025 for treating MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis (consistent with stages F2–F3 fibrosis), based on interim results of the phase 3 ESSENCE trial where 72 weeks of 2.4 mg/week subcutaneous injection resulted in achievement of both primary histologic endpoints: (1) resolution of MASH without worsening of fibrosis (62.9% vs. 34.3% placebo, p <0.001) and (2) ≥1 stage reduction in liver fibrosis without worsening of MASH (36.8% vs. 22.4% placebo, p <0.001); final approval awaits long-term outcomes. Patient Selection: Candidates should have MASH with stage 2–3 fibrosis, identified using non-invasive tests (NITs) such as VCTE (8–15 kPa), MRE (3.1–4.4 kPa), or ELF (9.2–10.5), rather than liver biopsy, which is impractical and unnecessary for most patients. In those with VCTE (15–20 kPa), MRE (4.4–5 kPa), or ELF (10.5–11.3), an individualized decision to treat should be based on exclusion of cirrhosis with another confirmatory NIT, or cross-sectional imaging excluding nodular-appearing liver contour and signs of portal hypertension, or a platelet count of <150,000/mm 3 . While semaglutide is not approved to treat patients with MASH cirrhosis (VCTE >20 kPa, MRE>5.0 kPa, ELF>11.3, and/or evidence of portal hypertension), those with compensated cirrhosis who are receiving semaglutide for another FDA-approved indication should be monitored carefully. Monitoring and Safety: Semaglutide showed a favorable hepatic safety profile in the ESSENCE trial, with no discontinuations due to liver enzyme elevations. Routine hepatic panels are recommended only as clinically indicated. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting), generally mild and transient; patient education and dose titration help improve tolerance. Clinicians should monitor for rare but serious risks, including acute kidney injury (from dehydration), symptomatic gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, thyroid C-cell tumors, retinopathy progression, and lean mass loss. Treatment Response and Concomitant Therapy: Lifestyle modification remains the cornerstone of MASLD/MASH management alongside semaglutide. Combination use of resmetirom with semaglutide 2.4mg/week has not been studied. While no NITs reliably predict histologic response at the individual patient level, reductions from baseline to 72 weeks of treatment suggest significant improvement in MASH resolution (ALT ≥17 U/L or ≥20%) and fibrosis improvement (VCTE LSM ≥30%; MRE LSM ≥20%; ELF ≥0.5). Non-response may be suspected if ALT or NITs worsen. The benefit is uncertain if a suboptimal response occurs, and may require an individualized approach and further follow-up.

Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities exist in the prevalence and natural history of chronic liver disease, access to care, and clinical outcomes. Solutions to improve health equity range widely, from digital health tools to policy changes. The current review outlines the disparities along the chronic liver disease health care continuum from screening and diagnosis to the management of cirrhosis and considerations of pre-liver and post-liver transplantation. Using a health equity research and implementation science framework, we offer pragmatic strategies to address barriers to implementing high-quality equitable care for patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs). However, our understanding of the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with CLD is limited. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, observational cohort study of adult patients with CLD who were diagnosed with COVID-19 before May 30, 2020, to determine long-term clinical outcomes. We used a control group of patients with CLD confirmed negative for COVID-19. Results: We followed 666 patients with CLD (median age 58 years, 52.8% male) for a median of 384 (interquartile range: 31–462) days. The long-term mortality was 8.1%; with 3.6% experiencing delayed COVID-19-related mortality. Compared to a propensity-matched control group of patients with CLD without COVID-19 (n=1332), patients with CLD with COVID-19 had worse long-term survival [p<0.001; hazards ratio (HR): 1.69; 95% CI: 1.19–2.41] and higher rate of hospitalization (p<0.001, HR: 2.00, 1.62–2.48) over a 1-year follow-up period. Overall, 29.9% of patients reported symptoms of long-COVID-19. On multivariable analysis, female sex (p=0.05, HR: 2.45, 1.01–2.11), Hispanic ethnicity (p=0.003, HR: 1.94, 1.26–2.99), and severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation (p=0.028, HR: 1.74, 1.06–2.86) predicted long-COVID-19. In survivors, liver-related laboratory parameters showed significant improvement after COVID-19 resolution. COVID-19 vaccine status was available for 72% (n=470) of patients with CLD and history of COVID-19, of whom, 70% (n=326) had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions: Our large, longitudinal, multicenter study demonstrates a high burden of long-term mortality and morbidity in patients with CLD and COVID-19. Symptoms consistent with long-COVID-19 were present in 30% of patients with CLD. These results illustrate the prolonged implications of COVID-19 both for recovering patients and for health care systems.