Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Due to the obesity and co-epidemic of type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common liver disease in our country, affecting one in three Canadians. MASLD is an accumulation of fat in the liver that can lead to inflammation and scarring. MASLD can evolve to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the most severe form of MASLD, leading to cirrhosis and need for liver transplant. MASLD is a silent killer because it is largely asymptomatic until end-stage liver complications from liver cirrhosis arise. In 2021, the International Liver Foundation declared MASLD a pandemic. The Canadian NASH (CanNASH) Network is an international research group of academic and clinical units aiming to improve knowledge on the frequency, diagnosis and risk factors of MASLD and of its complications. The 5th International Workshop of the CanNASH Network will focus on discussing current knowledge on priority research areas and understanding this frequent liver disease with medical specialists from different disciplines. The following key topics will be reviewed: 1. The frequency and risk factors of MASLD in Canada; 2. Non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose MASLD without the need for the invasive liver biopsy; 3. Possible ways to treat MASLD; 4. The role of primary care physicians, endocrinologists, cardiologists, nurses, radiologists and patients in the MASLD management. The Workshop supports the research goals of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism by aligning with all four of its strategic priorities and contributing to the strategic plan 2021-2026 in the areas of biomedical, clinical and prevention research. This workshop will promote knowledge exchange between international experts in MASLD and Canadian researchers. It will contribute to effective partnerships, and advance top-quality research both nationally and internationally. This will position Canada as a leader in addressing the global silent pandemic of MASLD.