Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension as Risk Factors for Advanced Fibrosis in Biopsy Proven Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the diagnostic criteria for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) related to liver fibrosis and to characterize patients with cryptogenic steatotic liver disease (SLD) (non-MASLD) among those previously diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 511 patients diagnosed with NAFLD via liver biopsy, and the prevalence of MASLD was assessed based on the diagnostic criteria. Patients were divided into those who met the MASLD criteria and those who did not, and the characteristics of advanced fibrosis and associated cardiometabolic factors were evaluated.

Results: Of the 475 patients with NAFLD, 458 (96.4%) met the criteria for MASLD, showing a high overlap between classical NAFLD and MASLD populations. Severe fibrosis was observed, regardless of the number of cardiometabolic factors. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus significantly contributed to advanced fibrosis (≥ F3), with odds ratio of 1.92 and 2.00 (95% confidence interval of 1.17-3.16 and 1.22-3.28, respectively; both p < 0.01) on multivariate analysis. The other seventeen (3.6%) patients did not meet the diagnostic criteria for MASLD. Among them, seven had significant fibrosis and a high fibrosis-4 index.

Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are key metabolic factors associated with advanced fibrosis. Some cases, classified as cryptogenic SLD, also exhibit significant fibrosis. Consequently, identifying high-risk patients, including those undergoing noninvasive tests for fibrosis, is crucial.