Key result
MAFLD in young adults is linked to ~0.13 mm higher carotid intima-media thickness.
Why the study?
The influence of hepatic steatosis on subclinical atherosclerosis in young patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease was not well characterized.
Does the presence and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) increase subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by carotid intima-media thickness in young adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=144)
No
Does the presence and severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) increase subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by carotid intima-media thickness in young adults?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.67% vs 0.54%
p-value: p=<0.05
In young patients with MAFLD, significantly elevated CIMT and its positive correlation with liver size highlight the utility of noninvasive CIMT measurements for early cardiovascular risk stratification.
MAFLD associated with higher CIMT in young adults; hypothesis-generating for early CV risk stratification, needs prospective validation.
Objective: Given the strong correlation between metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and elevated cardiovascular risk, this study sought to investigate how hepatic steatosis influences subclinical atherosclerosis in a young patient cohort by assessing carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT). Methods: The study involved 108 patients (aged 18-45 years) diagnosed with hepatic steatosis via ultrasonography and 36 healthy controls, recruited between April 2023 and September 2025. Results: Findings revealed that CIMT values were notably higher in the MAFLD group compared to the control group (0.67 ± 0.15 mm vs. 0.54 ± 0.13 mm; P < .05). Patients with MAFLD exhibited significantly higher body mass index, triglyceride levels, and liver dimensions, alongside reduced HDL cholesterol. A strong positive correlation was identified between CIMT and liver size (r = 0.639; P < .05). Furthermore, CIMT values tended to increase with higher grades of hepatic steatosis; however, the difference between grade 1 and grade 2/3 steatosis was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In young patients with MAFLD, both the presence and the degree of hepatic steatosis are closely linked to subclinical atherosclerosis. Consequently, CIMT measurements represent a valuable, noninvasive approach for early cardiovascular risk stratification in this demographic. Cite this article as: Nas N, Sağlık S. Relationship between hepatosteatosis and early atherosclerotic changes in young patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease. Cerrahpaşa Med J 2026, 50, 0060, doi: 10.5152/cjm.2026.26060.
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Nas et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) (n=144). Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (p=<0.05). Young adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease had significantly higher carotid intima-media thickness compared to healthy controls (0.67 mm vs. 0.54 mm).
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