Prevalence and Predictors for Lean Fatty Liver Disease in General Population Attending a COVID-19 Vaccination Center in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

BACKGROUND

There is an international consensus among experts advocating for the classification of fatty liver disease as a metabolic condition. However, some authors have raised concerns that this metabolic-centric framing may result in the underdiagnosis of metabolicdysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in lean individuals. The present study was carried out with the objective of describing metabolic characteristics in MASLD and the prevalence of lean MASLD in the general population.

METHODS

We carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A pre-tested proforma was used to collect data on socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors, and medical history. Transient elastography and blood investigations were carried out in all patients. The identification of independent predictors for MASLD and liver fibrosis was carried out using multivariable logistic regression. A test of interaction was conducted for studying effect modification in the association of diabetes and MASLD by subgroups of body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

A total of 1,243 participants were interviewed and screened for MASLD. The overall prevalence of MASLD was 43.7% ( = 543), with the prevalence of lean MASLD being 4.3% ( = 53). The prevalence of MASLD in lean vs non-lean subjects differed (21.3 vs 66.7%, < 0.001). Of the total MASLD cases, lean MASLD constituted 9.7% of cases. The association of diabetes and MASLD did not differ in subgroups by BMI. The test for interaction to detect effect modification was not statistically significant ( = 0.673).

CONCLUSION

The results support laying emphasis on metabolic dysfunction as a key criterion when defining fatty liver disease. The findings emphasize the shared metabolic underpinnings between lean and non-lean MASLD and advocate for inclusive approaches in diagnosis, management, and public health initiatives.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Prasad M, Bhardwaj N, Gupta E, Prevalence and Predictors for Lean Fatty Liver Disease in General Population Attending a COVID-19 Vaccination Center in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(2):145-150.