Future research should prioritize the following: 1 prospective validation in multiethnic cohorts with serial measurements of dynamic indicators (e.g., weight trajectory, medication adjustments) to assess temporal associations; 2 translational development of simplified risk scoring tools (e.g., open-access Shiny APP calculators) to enhance clinical adoption; and 3 mechanistic exploration via Mendelian randomization or real-world pharmacoepidemiologic analyses to disentangle drug–NAFLD interactions, particularly the protective role of emerging therapies like SGLT2 inhibitors. Here, SLC5A2 is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.