Individualized Evaluation on Suspicion of Fibrotic Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis: Real-World Experience from a Referral Center in Denmark

TL;DR

This study evaluates real-world patient data to identify risk factors for fibrotic liver disease in patients with metabolic conditions.

Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence supporting individualized evaluation of fibrotic MASH based on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Findings

Over half of patients diagnosed with MASLD also had fibrotic MASH.

Older age, type 2 diabetes, and higher BMI were significant risk factors for fibrosis.

Liver biopsy confirmed diagnoses in most cases, with 6% having cirrhotic MASH.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: New guidelines for management of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients recommend an individualized medicine approach mainly targeting patients with fibrotic metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic risk factors for progression of disease. This cohort study reports real-world experience for the individual evaluation and final diagnosis of patients on suspicion of fibrotic MASH according to standardized international criteria. We aimed to identify patients with significant fibrosis (F2–F4). Methods: Adult patients with metabolic syndrome and/or elevated alanine aminotransferases (ALT > 50) referred in a 5-year period (2018–2022) on suspicion of fibrotic MASH were included. Medical history, anthropometric measurements, and routine (blood tests, ultrasound) and specific examinations were applied. Liver biopsy was offered for definite diagnosis and to evaluate MASLD characteristics. Patient demographics and characteristics as well as the absolute number and proportion of patients with definite MASLD and fibrotic MASH are reported. Results: A total of 137 adult patients were included. Ten percent of patients were evaluated without liver biopsy and diagnosed with chronic liver diseases other than MASLD. Liver-biopsied patients (n = 123) had a mean age (SD) of 49 (14) years, and 50% were males. Overweight or obesity was present in 94%, dyslipidemia in 74%, hypertension in 40%, and type 2 diabetes mellitus in 34%. Of all 137 patients, 104 (76%) were diagnosed with definite MASLD and 80 (58%) with definite MASH. A total of 74 (54%) patients had definite fibrotic MASH, while 41 (30%) had significant (F2–4) fibrotic MASH. Eight patients (6%) had cirrhotic (F4) MASH. A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that patients with type 2 diabetes, older age, and higher BMI were associated with an apparent increased risk of F2–F4 fibrosis. Conclusions: The majority of referred patients had cardiometabolic–hepatic metabolic risk factors and were diagnosed with definite MASLD. More than half of these were diagnosed with fibrotic MASH. Older age, type 2 diabetes, and higher BMI were apparent risk factors for MASH F2–F4 fibrosis. We conclude that the individual cardiovascular–hepatic risk profile applied supports the new guidelines and may be useful for referral and further evaluation at expert care centers in a real-world setting.

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