Prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis and comorbidity in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in Korea

Abstract

Background & Aims: There are several reports on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, the prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD is largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of advanced fibrosis in MAFLD. Methods: A total of 6775 subjects from nationwide 13 health check-up centres were included in this cross-sectional study. Fatty liver was evaluated using ultrasonography. Significant (≥F2) and advanced (≥F3) hepatic fibrosis were defined by MRE thresholds of 3.0 kPa (range: 2.99–3.65 kPa) and 3.6 kPa (range: 3.4–3.9 kPa) respectively. The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of MAFLD and hepatic fibrosis was estimated. Results: The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of MAFLD was 33.9%. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) in MAFLD was 71.1%, and 79.0% of obese subjects had MAFLD. The prevalence of diabetes in MAFLD was 13.3%, and 73.6% of subjects with diabetes had MAFLD. The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of significant (≥F2) and advanced hepatic fibrosis (≥F3) amongst MAFLD was 9.7% (range: 3.0–9.8%) and 3.0% (range: 2.6–4.6%) respectively. The prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis in overweight/obese (group I), lean (group II) and diabetic (group III) MAFLD was 2.3%, 3.1% and 9.5% respectively. Conclusion: The sex- and age-standardized prevalence of advanced fibrosis was 3.0% (range: 2.6–4.6%) in subjects with MAFLD.