Impact of Alcohol Intake on Body Composition in Patients with Steatotic Liver Disease

Objectives: To examine the effect of alcohol intake on body composition in patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD). Methods: In men, group A (n = 819) was defined as non-drinkers, group B (n = 1147) as <30 g of ethanol equivalent per day, group C (n = 125) as between 30 and 60 g/day, and group D (n = 344) as >60 g/day. In women, group A (n = 749) was defined as non-drinkers, group B (n = 354) as <20 g/day, group C (n = 36) as between 20 and 50 g/day, and group D (n = 68) as >50 g/day. The fat-free (FF) index and fat (F) index were defined as FF mass and F mass divided by height squared (kg/m²). Results: The average FF index and F index in groups A, B, C, and D in men were 19.01, 19.29, 18.50, and 18.55 kg/m² (overall p < 0.0001), and 6.28, 6.71, 5.66, and 6.03 kg/m² (overall p < 0.0001). The average FF index and F index in groups A, B, C, and D in women were 16.03, 15.96, 15.62, and 15.07 kg/m² (overall p < 0.0001), and 9.89, 9.02, 9.32, and 7.53 kg/m² (overall p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Heavy drinking has a negative effect on skeletal muscle and fat, but complete abstinence from alcohol may not be necessary in SLD patients.