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Do MAFLD Patients with Harmful Alcohol Consumption Have a Different Dietary Intake?
Sara Policarpo1,2, Sofia Carvalhana1,3, Ana Craciun3,4
1Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract:
The term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed to define positively fatty liver disease in the form associated with metabolic risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of MAFLD and explore a possible relationship between its inflammatory characteristics (assessed by Dietary Inflammatory Index-DII®), the degree of liver fibrosis (assessed by transient elastography), and the amount of alcohol intake. MAFLD patients were included (n = 161) and were classified, according to the amount of alcoholic intake, as MAFLD without alcohol intake (n = 77) and MAFLD with alcohol intake (n = 84), with 19 presenting harmful alcoholic consumption. Dietary intake was 1868 ± 415 kcal/day and did not present differences in energy or nutrient intake based on the presence of metabolic comorbidities. Patients with MAFLD and alcohol intake consumed significantly more energy and presented a tendency for higher intake of carbohydrates and sugar. Patients with harmful alcohol intake presented a higher intake of total fat and cholesterol compared with moderate alcohol intake. There were no differences in DII® based on fibrosis severity or the amount of alcohol consumption. This work contributes to the characterization of baseline dietary intake in MAFLD patients, paving the way to design more suited dietary interventional trials.
Insights
This study characterized dietary intake in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) patients. Alcohol consumption influenced energy, carbohydrate, and fat intake, but not inflammation or fibrosis severity.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Nutritional Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is linked to metabolic risk factors.
- Understanding dietary patterns in MAFLD is crucial for management.
- Inflammatory characteristics and alcohol intake are key factors in liver disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the dietary intake of MAFLD patients.
- To explore the relationship between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), liver fibrosis, and alcohol consumption in MAFLD.
- To characterize baseline dietary habits for future interventional trials.
Main Methods:
- 161 MAFLD patients were included and categorized by alcohol intake (none, moderate, harmful).
- Dietary intake (kcal/day) and nutrient composition were assessed.
- Liver fibrosis was evaluated using transient elastography.
- The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) was used to assess inflammatory potential of diets.
Main Results:
- Patients with MAFLD and alcohol intake consumed more energy, carbohydrates, and sugar.
- Harmful alcohol consumption was associated with higher total fat and cholesterol intake.
- No significant differences in DII® were observed based on fibrosis severity or alcohol consumption levels.
Conclusions:
- Dietary intake in MAFLD patients varies with alcohol consumption, particularly energy and macronutrient profiles.
- Current dietary inflammatory index does not correlate with fibrosis severity or alcohol intake in this cohort.
- Further research is needed to design targeted dietary interventions for MAFLD management.
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