Clinical characteristics and risk factors of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in lean patients: results of the Polish Gallstone Surgery Registry.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Data concerning the clinical manifestation and outcomes of lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are scarce and inconsistent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of MASLD and predictors of its occurrence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included patients from the Polish Gallstone Surgery Registry diagnosed with MASLD according to the current criteria.

RESULTS

Among 3,419 patients, MASLD was diagnosed in 24.2%. Lean MASLD was diagnosed in 11.3% of patients with MASLD. Independent predictors of lean MASLD were atherogenic dyslipidaemia (OR = 94.16, CI: 45.54-197.71, < 0.0001), diabetes mellitus or prediabetes conditions (OR = 9.26, CI: 4.42-19.38, < 0.0001) and hypertension (OR = 2.97, CI: 1.38-6.41, = 0.0054).

CONCLUSIONS

Lean MASLD is not a rare form of the disease, and in the lean MASLD group there are patients with a high rate of metabolic abnormalities which may significantly increase cardiovascular risk and the risk of MASLD progression.