The Silent Epidemic: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic dysfunction and is highly prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Owing to its asymptomatic nature and potential progression to advanced liver disease, early identification is essential. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of MASLD among patients with T2DM and evaluate its association with demographic characteristics, metabolic risk factors, and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine from May 2023 to May 2024. A total of 100 adult patients with T2DM were enrolled. Demographic details, anthropometric measurements, clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters, including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, liver function tests, and lipid profile, were recorded. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to diagnose and grade MASLD. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: MASLD was detected in 63.0% of participants, with moderate steatosis being the most frequent grade (42.9%). Obesity (62.0%), increased waist circumference (68.0%), dyslipidemia (64.0%), hypertension (59.0%), and metabolic syndrome (71.0%) were common among the study population. MASLD was significantly associated with obesity, increased waist circumference, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥9%), and longer duration of diabetes (all p<0.05). Patients with MASLD also had significantly higher BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, triglycerides, AST, and ALT levels, along with lower HDL cholesterol. Multivariate logistic regression identified obesity, increased waist circumference, dyslipidemia, HbA1c ≥9%, and diabetes duration >10 years as independent predictors of MASLD. Conclusion: MASLD is highly prevalent among patients with T2DM and is strongly associated with obesity, central adiposity, dyslipidemia, poor glycemic control, and prolonged diabetes duration. Routine screening using non-invasive imaging, coupled with comprehensive metabolic risk factor management, may facilitate early diagnosis and reduce the risk of progression to advanced liver disease.