Body mass index and diabetes predict severity of liver fibrosis across the spectrum of steatotic liver disease

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives

Recent evidence indicates that metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated steatotic liver disease (MetALD), a newly defined subgroup of steatotic liver disease (SLD), may have a worse prognosis than metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study examines the clinical factors influencing the severity of MetALD to inform and improve future management strategies.

Patients and Methods

Data from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), involving 7745 adults with valid elastography measurements, were utilized to define and estimate the prevalence of MASLD, MetALD, and alcohol liver disease (ALD). Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥285 dB/m, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥8 kPa, and ≥12 kPa indicated the presence of hepatic steatosis, clinically significant fibrosis, and advanced fibrosis, respectively.

Results

The prevalence of MetALD was 4 % (N=287), compared to 24 % (N=2049) for MASLD and 7 % (N=486) for ALD. The prevalence of significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis in MetALD was 10.8 % and 3.1 %, respectively, compared to 24.7 % and 9.8 % in MASLD, and 15 % and 8 % in ALD. Logistic regression analysis among MetALD patients showed that higher body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.15, 95 % CI: 1.08-1.23, P<0.01) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR: 3.0, 95 % CI: 1.06-6.2, P<0.01) were associated with an increased risk of fibrosis. These factors were also identified as independent risk factors for fibrosis in patients with MASLD and ALD.

Conclusions

MetALD had the lowest prevalence and fibrosis severity among the three groups of SLD. Elevated BMI and DM were associated with the severity of liver disease, and these findings provide a rationale for the use of obesity- and diabetes-targeted medications in these individuals.