Key result
Incident NAFLD is linked to ~3.2-fold higher risk of CKM syndrome progression.
Why the study?
The precise role of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the progression of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome remained poorly defined across diverse ethnic populations, particularly among non-obese individuals without overt metabolic dysfunction.
Is prevalent or incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome progression across diverse ethnic populations in the UK Biobank and Tongzhou Cohort?
Cohort
Yes
Is prevalent or incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome progression across diverse ethnic populations in the UK Biobank and Tongzhou Cohort?
Incident NAFLD is a strong predictor of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome progression, especially in individuals at early CKM stages (Stage 0/1), highlighting the importance of early targeted prevention.
Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now termed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is closely linked to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, serving as a key driver of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. However, its precise role in CKM progression remains poorly defined, particularly among non-obese individuals without overt metabolic dysfunction. Purpose To investigate the association between NAFLD status and CKM syndrome progression across diverse ethnic populations. Methods We conducted observational analyses utilizing data from UK Biobank (UKB) and Tongzhou Cohort (China). CKM progression was defined as transition to a higher stage (from Stage 0/1 to Stage 2 or 3, or from Stage 2 to Stage 3) during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between NAFLD and CKM progression, with sequential adjustment for demographic and metabolic covariates. Results Pooled analyses of UK Biobank and Tongzhou Cohort revealed that prevalent NAFLD exhibited divergent associations with CKM progression across populations, demonstrating protective effects in the overall UK Biobank cohort (OR 0.541, 95% CI 0.369–0.763) and Tongzhou population (OR 0.876, 95% CI 0.784–0.978), but substantially elevated progression risk among Tongzhou individuals at CKM Stage 0/1 (OR 2.985, 95% CI 1.806–5.198). Furthermore, incident NAFLD in Tongzhou Cohort was consistently associated with increased CKM progression risk across all stages, with particularly pronounced effects observed among Stage 0/1 individuals (OR 3.156, 95% CI 2.473–4.050), remaining robust after full covariate adjustment. Conclusion Incident NAFLD robustly predicts CKM progression, particularly in early-stage individuals, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Li et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (prevalent and incident NAFLD) vs. Individuals without NAFLD was evaluated on CKM syndrome progression (transition from Stage 0/1 to Stage 2 or 3, or from Stage 2 to Stage 3) (OR 3.156, 95% CI 2.473-4.050). Incident NAFLD significantly increased CKM syndrome progression risk, particularly among Stage 0/1 individuals in the Tongzhou Cohort (OR 3.156; 95% CI 2.473-4.050).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: