Predictive factors for metabolic syndrome in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of liver disease globally, closely associated with metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to identify significant predictors of metabolic syndrome in patients with MASLD. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on adult type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients between January 2018 and April 2022. Of 314 initially collected patients, those without MASLD or with other liver diseases were excluded, leaving 240 MASLD patients for analysis. Metabolic syndrome was assessed using the NCEP ATP III criteria, and data analysis was performed using Stata17. Higher systolic blood pressure (adjusted OR = 1.000427, p < 0.0001) and larger waist circumference (adjusted OR = 1.001517, p < 0.0001) were independently associated with increased odds of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, higher triglyceride levels (adjusted OR = 1.064834, p < 0.0001) and lower HDL cholesterol levels (adjusted OR = 0.998595, p = 0.003) were significant predictors. Other variables, including age, HbA1c, BMI, LDL, and hepatic steatosis index, were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome after adjusting for confounders. Higher systolic blood pressure, larger waist circumference, elevated triglyceride levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels are significant predictors of metabolic syndrome in MASLD patients.