Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and gallbladder polyp development: an observational study

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Gastroenterology
• Metabolic Health
• Digestive Disease Research

Background:

• The relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and gallbladder polyp formation is not well understood.
• Existing research lacks longitudinal data on MASLD's impact on gallbladder polyp development across sexes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal association between MASLD and the development of gallbladder polyps.
• To clarify the role of MASLD in gallbladder polypogenesis in a large patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• An observational study included 5,527 patients without prior gallbladder polyps, followed for over two years with multiple health check-ups.
• Generalized estimation equations were employed to analyze the repeated measures of MASLD and gallbladder polyp development.

Main Results:

• Gallbladder polyp development rates were 7.5% in men and 5.6% in women (p < 0.01).
• MASLD itself was not significantly correlated with gallbladder polyp development.
• Men and women with four or more MASLD components had significantly higher odds of developing gallbladder polyps (ORs 3.397 and 5.338, respectively).
• Higher nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis scores were linked to increased gallbladder polyp risk in women (OR 1.991).

Conclusions:

• While MASLD's direct link to gallbladder polyps is weak, the number of MASLD components is a significant risk factor.
• Close monitoring for gallbladder polyps is crucial for patients with an increasing number of MASLD components, particularly men with advanced disease.