Multidisciplinary management combining hepatologist counseling, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and nutritional support significantly improves clinical outcomes of Metabolic dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) patients

Introduction

Lifestyle modifications represent the main therapeutic intervention for Metabolic dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver disease (MASLD). Unfortunately, the dietary-behavioral prescription is constantly limited by poor compliance. In this context, the benefits of motivational support remain unexplored.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary (hepatologist-nutritionist-psychologist) management in improving clinical outcomes in MASLD, via ameliorating adherence to specialistic tailored-indications.

Materials and Methods

MASLD patients (n.286) were consecutively enrolled and randomized in three cohorts: 72 followed generic hepatologist-provided dietary advice (“H”), 71 also received a nutritionists-prescribed individualized intervention (“HN”) (H+N= “standard of care”), and 143 were treated with an approach additionally involving cognitive/behavioral-based psychological support (“HNP”) (“experimental-group”). At baseline, anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, liver stiffness (LSM), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), lifestyle habits, and body composition values were recorded. Along 18 months, semestral hepatological (for all), nutritional (H and HN), and psychological (HNP) follow-ups reassessed parameters and evaluated compliance.

Results

After 18 months, the prevalence of patients achieving a ≥ 10% decrease in body weight was significantly higher in HNP (HNP:62.09%; HN:44.9%; H:35.8%; HNP vs HN, p:0.01; HNP vs H, p:0.0002). In HNP, a significant improvement in Homeostatic-model-assessment-for-insulin-resistance (p:0.001), HDL (p<0.0001), LSM (p:0.007), CAP (p:0.002), and Fat-Mass (p < 0.0001) was observed. Loss of compliance rate was significantly lower in HNP (HNP:12.08%; HN:34.7%; H:45.8%; HNP vs HN, HNP vs H, p:0.001). Relevantly, HNP patients presented a significantly lower risk of acute cardiovascular events (ACEs) during the observation period [HR: 0.497, IC (0.236-0.751) 95%, p:0.04)] (Figure). Logistic regression analysis (adjusted for sex, age, and cardiovascular risk factors) revealed HNP adherence as significantly associated with lower ACEs occurrence (aOR: 0.81; C.I. 95%: 0.55-0.97; p:0.02). Dynamic work, city life, and large family emerged as social factors influencing compliance (OR: 2.11, 1.78, 1.12) (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

Integrating standard hepatological-nutritional with psychological support significantly improves the outcomes of MASLD patients.