Association between arterial stiffness and MASLD in US young adults: base on NHANES 2005-2018

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) impacts >30 % of the world's population, imposing significant societal and familial burdens. Arterial stiffness is a known risk factor for various metabolic disorders, and early-onset MASLD may be linked to heightened arterial stiffness. However, studies investigating the link between arterial stiffness and MASLD are limited. Methods: This study utilized data from the NHANES database, focusing on young adults aged 20 to 45 years, spanning from 2005 to 2018. The Fatty Liver Index (FLI) was used to diagnose MASLD, and the estimated Pulse Wave Velocity (ePWV) was utilized to assess arterial stiffness. The association between MASLD and arterial stiffness was analyzed using weighted multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the stability of the observed relationship. Results: < 0.05). Restricted cubic splines (RCS) also demonstrated a positive linear correlation between ePWV and MASLD. Sensitivity analysis validated the strong correlation between ePWV and MASLD, while subgroup analysis demonstrated a positive association between ePWV and MASLD across most subgroups (OR > 1). Conclusion: The study indicates a strong association between arterial stiffness, as measured by ePWV, and MASLD in young adults. The results suggest that targeting arterial stiffness could aid in preventing and managing MASLD.