A higher visceral fat area-to-skeletal muscle mass ratio (highest vs lowest tertile) significantly increased the odds of MASLD (OR 4.95) and was positively correlated with the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.
Cross-Sectional (n=980)
No
Is the visceral fat area-to-skeletal muscle mass ratio associated with the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in young and middle-aged adults?
Increased visceral fat area-to-skeletal muscle mass ratio is significantly associated with the severity of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and MASLD in young and middle-aged adults.
Effect estimate: OR 4.95 (95% CI 3.02-8.10)
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract Background This study investigates the relationship between the visceral fat area (VFA)-to-skeletal muscle mass (SMM) ratio (VSR) and the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in young and middle-aged adults. Accumulation of VFA and loss of SMM are key features of metabolic dysfunction and are hypothesized to contribute to the progression of liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods A total of 980 young and middle-aged adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Body composition was assessed using direct segmental multi-frequency bioresistive resistance, while liver condition was evaluated with transient elastography, including the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the associations between VSR and hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and MASLD. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the differences in these associations based on different statuses. Results The results revealed that VSR was positively correlated with CAP and LSM, indicating a significant association between increased VSR and the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Furthermore, VSR was significantly associated with the presence of MASLD and hepatic fibrosis. Subgroup analysis showed notable differences in the association of VSR with CAP and MASLD based on gender and hyperuricemia status. Conclusions Increased VSR is closely linked to the severity of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and MASLD. These findings highlight the importance of improving body composition in the prevention and management of metabolic liver diseases.
Guo et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) (n=980). Visceral fat area-to-skeletal muscle mass ratio (VSR) vs. Lowest VSR tertile (T1) was evaluated on Presence of MASLD (OR 4.95, 95% CI 3.02-8.10, p=<0.001). A higher visceral fat area-to-skeletal muscle mass ratio (highest vs lowest tertile) significantly increased the odds of MASLD (OR 4.95) and was positively correlated with the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.