NAFLD to MAFLD: collaboration, not confusion - rethinking the naming of fatty liver disease

The recent shift from "Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" (NAFLD) and “Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease” (MAFLD) to "Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease" (MASLD) has raised questions about its scientific basis and impact on patient understanding. This renaming may create confusion rather than clarity. A collaborative approach involving healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients to establish terminology that balances scientific accuracy with accessibility is needed. Effective disease naming should be accurate, unique, consistent, objective, and accessible—qualities essential for clear communication in healthcare. Disease name is more than scientific correctness because naming conventions for public use, especially, anything related to health, must be a matter of convenience, ethics, cultural and social acceptance. Education and straightforward communication should take precedence over renaming, helping patients and healthcare providers fully understand the complexities and implications of liver disease for treatment. Afterall, from a scientific and public health perspective MAFLD has clear advantages over MASLD.