Screening of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in General Population Attending Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Nowadays, changes of lifestyle have been associated with a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing global health problem. To determine prevalence of MAFLD among general population, attending the out patients clinics of Beni-Suef University hospital, without history of alcohol intake, chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis infection, DM or HTN, and the efficacy of other hepatic steatosis indices in its detection. The studied subjects were classified according to MAFLD criteria. CBC, AST, ALT, creatinine, fasting blood glucose (HbA1c), lipid profile (cholesterol triglyceride), HOMA-IR, high-sensitive CRP, imaging with abdominal ultrasound, ARFI, and TE (FibroScan and CAP) were done to all subjects. Also, HS index and FAST Score were done. Efficacy of these data was assessed as predictors of MAFLD. From 588 participant, 165 patients (28.1%) had positive MAFLD criteria. FibroScan, CAP, ARFI, and FAST score were higher among the MAFLD group but without statistical significance, while HBA1c, hepatic ultrasound finding, and (HS Index) showed a statistically significant difference between groups. HSI could predict steatosis at a cutoff 39.1405 with 61% sensitivity and 71% specificity. MAFLD is common in general population. HS index is simple to calculate and can help physicians to screen patients who need follow-up for early detection of liver steatosis and lifestyle counseling.