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Published on: April 12, 2021
Prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in kidney transplant recipients: A cross-sectional
Ezgi Ersoy Yesil1, Yusuf Yilmaz2, Atakan Yesil3
1Department of Nephrology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye.
Background And Aim:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is expected to be prevalent among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of MAFLD among KTRs, data that have not been investigated by any clinical study to date.
Materials And Methods:
We included a total of 52 KTRs and 53 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched individuals as the control group through prospective consecutive recruitment. We detected the presence of hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) defined by FibroScan.
Results:
Among the KTRs, 18 (34.6%) had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of MAFLD among the KTRs and controls was 42.3% and 51.9%, respectively (p=0.375). The CAP and LSM values did not differ significantly between the KTRs and controls (p=0.222 and p=0.119). Among the KTRs, patients with MAFLD had significantly higher age, BMI, waist circumference, LDL, and total cholesterol levels (p<0.001, p=0.011, p=0.033, p=0.022, and p=0.029, respectively). In multivariable analysis, age was the only independent factor for MAFLD among the KTRs (OR: 1.120, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.039-1.208).
Conclusion:
MAFLD among KTRs did not show a significantly higher prevalence compared to the normal population. Further clinical studies with larger populations are needed.
Insights
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) prevalence was similar in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and controls. Age was the only independent factor for MAFLD in KTRs, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hepatology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing concern.
- Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are a population where MAFLD prevalence has not been previously studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MAFLD in KTRs.
- To identify risk factors for MAFLD in KTRs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 52 KTRs and 53 matched controls.
- FibroScan used to assess hepatic steatosis (CAP) and liver fibrosis (LSM).
- Metabolic syndrome, anthropometric, and lipid profiles were analyzed.
Main Results:
- MAFLD prevalence was 42.3% in KTRs and 51.9% in controls (p=0.375).
- No significant differences in CAP and LSM between groups.
- In KTRs, MAFLD was associated with higher age, BMI, waist circumference, LDL, and total cholesterol.
- Age was the sole independent predictor for MAFLD in KTRs (OR: 1.120).
Conclusions:
- MAFLD prevalence in KTRs is not significantly higher than in the general population.
- Larger clinical studies are required to confirm these findings and explore MAFLD's impact in KTRs.
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