Body composition parameters and comorbidities as markers of clinically significant liver fibrosis (F2, F3 stages) in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Abstract

The global incidences of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and obesity are increasing. Liver fibrosis stage is considered the strongest predictor of disease-specific mortality in MASLD. Aim. This study aimed to examine the possible associations between body composition parameters assessed by bioimpedance analysis (BIA), comorbidities, and clinically significant liver fibrosis (F2, F3) in Ukrainian patients with MASLD. Material and methods. It was an observational study involving adult patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of MASLD and liver steatosis, confirmed by ultrasound imaging, who underwent liver shear-wave elastography for assessment of liver fibrosis and body composition assessment. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine possible factors associated with clinically significant liver fibrosis (F2, F3).