Prevalence and Risk Factors for Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease in South Indian Population

Background: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new definition proposed by the global consensus panel in 2020 for liver disease associated with known metabolic dysfunction. Based on new diagnostic criteria, we aimed to investigate its prevalence and risk factors in Indian population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and included 2290 adult subjects where the socio-demographic details along with their clinical history, examination and other relevant findings were noted and anthropometric details were measured. Blood samples for the required investigations were collected. A diagnosis of MAFLD was made if imaging showed presence of hepatic steatosis along with any of the MAFLD factors. Age under 18, a history of cancer, oophorectomy/ hysterectomy, liver surgery or nephrectomy, and incomplete data were the exclusion criteria. The data were analysed by using SPSS software of version 22.

Results: Out of 2290 subjects, 940 (41%) were females and 1350 (59%) were males with the mean age of 43.8 years (SD ±13.6). Overall, 640 (27.94%) participants were diagnosed with MAFLD and there were significant difference noted between participants of age 40 and above with less than 40 years (P <0.05). In addition, there were also higher significant difference noted in participants with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension (P<0.05). After applying Independent t test, there were statistically significant difference noted between MAFLD and non-MAFLD in all parameters such as age, BMI, WHR, SBP, FPG, TG, HDL, LDL and ALT except uric acid (P<0.05).

Conclusion: We found a prevalence of MAFLD of 27.9% among the study population. Further, the actual significant predictors were age, BMI, WHR, SBP, FPG, TG, LDL and ALT.