Understanding MASH: An Examination of Progression and Clinical Outcomes by Disease Severity in the TARGET-NASH...

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the progressive form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is linked to cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The rising prevalence of MASH and risk of hepatic and extra-hepatic complications emphasize the need for a better understanding of disease progression and associated outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of, and demographic and clinical characteristics associated with, progression to MASH-related complications by disease severity in patients with non-cirrhotic MASH or MASH cirrhosis. Alignment between noninvasive tests (NITs) and biopsy-determined fibrosis stage was also assessed.

This analysis used data from the TARGET-NASH cohort that includes adults with MASH across academic and community sites in the United States. Patients with non-cirrhotic MASH or MASH cirrhosis were stratified by disease severity based on fibrosis stage or cirrhosis. Progression to MASH-related outcomes, including all-cause mortality, cirrhosis, and liver transplantation, was assessed.

Among the 2378 patients included in this analysis, 48% had MASH cirrhosis. Incidence of all-cause mortality increased with disease severity from 0.14/100 person-months (100PM) at fibrosis stage 0-1 (F0-F1) to 2.02/100PM with compensated cirrhosis and 4.62/100PM with decompensated cirrhosis. Compared with patients with F0-F1, risk of progression to cirrhosis was higher in patients with F3 [hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI); 18.66, 10.97-31.73] and F2 (HR, 95% CI; 3.74, 2.00-6.98). Among those who progressed to MASH-related outcomes, 67.9% had T2D and 73.9% had hypertension. Vibration-controlled transient elastography showed better alignment with biopsy-determined fibrosis stage than Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4).

Progression to all-cause mortality in patients with MASH was significantly associated with the presence of higher fibrosis stage and cirrhosis. Cardiometabolic comorbidities such as T2D and hypertension were prevalent in patients with MASH progression. Early identification and management of MASH may mitigate disease progression and liver-related complications.