MASLD in PLWH on ART: Predominance of Metabolic Risk Factors and Insights From Novel Biomarkers—A Cross-Sectional Study in Wrocław, Poland

Background MASLD (NAFLD) is the most common chronic hepatopathy and has a rising prevalence in PLWH, with etiological factors being interplay of HIV-specific with general ones. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study ( n = 93). Patients were assessed in an outpatient clinic in Poland (April-October 2021) using clinical, metabolic data, irisin, CK-18, adiponectin, and leptin. Noninvasive formulas were used to assess the MASLD risk biochemically. Results No statistically relevant differences in MASLD-related scores among different ART regimens were found, with weak correlations were found between CD4 count and NAFLD-LFS ( R < .3), and ART duration with non-HDL-C ( R = −.22) and NFS ( R = .23). Lifetime weight amplitude showed relationship with biochemical MASLD-related formulas and hepatitis ( P = .037); among the biomarkers, leptin exhibited several correlations, strongest with HSI ( R = .56) and BMI ( R = .53). Conclusions MASLD corresponded more with general than with ART-related factors. Leptin may value when evaluating MASLD risk.