Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Osteoporosis are two silent prevalent metabolic conditions. MASLD involves fat accumulation in the liver, along with at least one of five specified cardiometabolic criteria, while excluding other liver diseases or secondary causes. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal condition characterised by reduced bone mass, leading to increased fracture risk. The relationship between MASLD and decreased bone mineral density remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association of bone mineral density in patients with and without MASLD.

Methods: Subject’s demographics, medical history, and laboratory test findings were collected. MASLD diagnosis was done according to the new consensus statement definition and the guidelines outlined by EASL–EASD–EASO. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), and Osteoporosis diagnosis followed the criteria outlined by World Health Organization (WHO). Statistical analysis was performed, with significance determined for P values <0.05.

Results: 106 consecutive individuals were investigated for osteoporosis. The study population had a mean age of 63.55 years and consisted of 83 (78.3%) females and 23 (21, 7%) males. Osteoporosis was identified in 26 (24.5%) patients, while osteopenia and vertebral fracture were present in 54 (50.9%) and 10 (9.4%) patients respectively. Hypertension was the most prevalent condition, affecting 70 (66%) individuals, followed by dyslipidemia in 53 (50%), impaired fasting glucose 19 (17.9%) and type 2 diabetes 14 (13.2%). MASLD was present in 43 patients (40.6%). When comparing individuals with MASLD to those without MASLD, no statistically significant differences were found in age (P=0.865), gender (P=0.285), smoking status (P=0.143), hypertension (P=0.503), dyslipidemia (P=0.166), or impaired fasting glucose (P=0.237). However, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups observed in type 2 diabetes prevalence (P=0.012), Body Mass Index (BMI) (p <0.001), and Vitamin D levels (P=0.008). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding osteoporosis (P=0.106), osteopenia (P=0.665), and vertebral fracture (P=0.178).

Conclusion: Individuals with MASLD showed reduced levels of vitamin D, increased body mass index, and higher type 2 diabetes prevalence than those without MASLD. However, this study did not reveal an increased association between MASLD and conditions like osteoporosis, osteopenia, or vertebral fractures.