By Anna Loh, MD; Shalini Verma, MD, FCAP
This article explores the growing recognition of type 2 diabetes as a multisystem cardiometabolic disease, with a focus on the often-overlooked burden of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). It examines the relationship between diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and liver fibrosis while highlighting the importance of early detection through non-invasive testing. The article also discusses evolving clinical guidelines and the expanding role of clinical laboratories in supporting fibrosis risk assessment, population health strategies, and integrated diabetes care.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to:
- Describe the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
- Identify the major clinical complications and risk factors associated with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with T2DM.
- Compare the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of commonly used non-invasive fibrosis assessment tools, including FIB-4, ELF, VCTE, and MRE.
- Evaluate the role of the clinical laboratory in fibrosis risk stratification, guideline-supported testing workflows, and population-based diabetes care management.
About the Presenters
Anna Loh, MD serves as a field medical liaison for hepatology with Siemens Healthineers. She is a general physician with 14 years of experience treating
patients for a variety of conditions and is certified in the
UK, New Zealand, and Australia.
Shalini Verma, MD, FCAP serves as a medical officer with Siemens Healthineers. She also is a diplomate of the American Board of Pathology with active board certifications in molecular genetics pathology, hematopathology and anatomic & clinical pathology.
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- 1 Test
- Course Certificate
MLO and Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb, IL, are co-sponsors in offering continuing education units (CEUs) for this issue’s CE article. CEUs or contact hours are granted by the College of Health and Human Sciences at Northern Illinois University, which has been approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. Continuing education credits awarded for successful completion of this test are acceptable for the ASCP Board of Registry Continuing Competence Recognition Program. Readers who pass the test successfully (scoring 70% or higher) will receive a certificate for 1 contact hour of P.A.C.E.® credit. The fee for this continuing education test is $20. This test was prepared by Amanda Voelker, MPH, MT(ASCP), MLS, Clinical Education Coordinator, School of Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Passing scores of 70 percent or higher are eligible for 1 contact hour of P.A.C.E. credit. This test is no longer valid for CEUs after July 2027.
NIU is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program.
