MAFLD as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: An Extended Retrospective Study with a Control Group

Background/Objectives: Fatty liver disease (FLD) is currently the most common liver disorder, affecting 25-30% of the global population. Its occurrence is strongly associated with overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. In 2020, the disease definition was revised from NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) to MAFLD (metabolic-associated fatty liver disease), emphasizing its link to metabolic dysfunction and marking a major shift in clinical evaluation and risk stratification. We assessed the association between MAFLD and cardiovascular risk factors in a geriatric population by comparing patients with and without fatty liver disease and evaluating the influence of selected metabolic and echocardiographic parameters on MAFLD prevalence. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using data from patients treated at the Department of Geriatrics, the University Clinical Hospital, in Wrocław. The study included 237 patients diagnosed with fatty liver disease and 148 controls without liver pathology. The groups were compared in terms of comorbidities, laboratory abnormalities, body mass index (BMI), and left ventricular hypertrophy. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association between the severity of selected variables and the risk of MAFLD. Results: Patients with MAFLD had significantly higher body weight and BMI compared to controls. Diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia were more frequent in the MAFLD group, whereas HDL and vitamin D3 levels were lower. Echocardiographic indicators of left ventricular hypertrophy [IVSd, LVPWd, (IVSd + LVPWd)/2] were significantly elevated in MAFLD patients. Conclusions: This study confirms a strong association between MAFLD and cardiovascular risk factors in elderly patients. The inclusion of a control group allowed for more precise evaluation, supporting the role of MAFLD as an independent cardiometabolic risk indicator in geriatric care.