Abstract
BackgroundAs a newly proposed diagnosis, data on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rare. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of MAFLD using new definition in the contemporary South China population.MethodsIn this population based, cross sectional study, a total of 5377 participants aged 30–79 years old were recruited from the South China between 2018 and 2019. MAFLD was diagnosed in subjects who have both hepatic steatosis and metabolic disorders according to the newly international expert consensus. The total prevalence of MAFLD and prevalence by sex and age was estimated. Demographic characteristics, history of disease, and lifestyle were recorded by participants on a questionnaire. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and evaluated by experienced sonographers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of MAFLD.ResultsOverall prevalence of MAFLD was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.0% to 30.5%). Prevalence was higher in women (31.7%) than in men (25.5%; p < 0.001 for sex difference) and in subjects aged 50 years or older (30.7%) than in those aged 30–49 years (19.8%; p < 0.001 for age difference). In participants diagnosed with MAFLD, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was up to 90.5%, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic dysregulation were 25.0% and 62.2%, respectively. Risk factors for MAFLD included overweight/obesity (OR = 4.67; 95% CI, 3.76–5.83), T2DM (OR = 2.41, 95% CI, 1.68–3.47), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 2.42, 95% CI, 2.03–2.87), high school education (OR = 1.50, 95% CI, 1.23–1.82), high income (OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.05–1.42). A lower risk of MAFLD was associated with high physical activity equivalent (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.60–0.85). A U-shaped association of frequency of soups and ORs of MAFLD was found, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) of lower and higher frequency of soups were 1.58 (1.32–1.89) and 1.36 (1.13–1.63), respectively.ConclusionsOur results showed a high prevalence of MAFLD in the general adult population in South China. Obesity has the greatest impact on MAFLD, physical activity and moderate consumption of soups might be the potential protective factors of MAFLD.
Highlights
As a newly proposed diagnosis, data on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rare
A total of 5430 adults aged 30–79 years old with comprehensive anthropometric measurements, clinical examinations, abdominal ultrasound and questionnaire were included in the study. 53 subjects were excluded from the study, among them 41 subjects who lack data to define MAFLD, 4 subjects with history of liver cirrhosis, hepatectomy, schistosomal liver and liver cancer, and 8 subjects were excluded due to the extreme outlier of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) according to three times standard deviation
The frequency of soups and level of physical activity were significantly different between participants with or without MAFLD and a lower physical activity was found in patients with MAFLD (Table 1)
Summary
As a newly proposed diagnosis, data on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rare. The rapid economic development in the last four decades has led to a large number of aging population and a change in lifestyle among the Chinese population, with a higher level of calorie intake and sedentary behavior, and lower level of physical activity [1,2,3] This change has resulted in more people who are overweight/obesity, as. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly named non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a newly proposed diagnosis revised by the international expert consensus, and has attracted substantial attention [5]. NAFLD has become an important public health issue, prevention and treatment thereof are of strong public interest
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