Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease may increase risk of gallstone development: JAMA

The observational cohort study included 5398 patients without gallstones who underwent > 2 health check-ups between 2014 and 2020. The association between MAFLD and gallstone development was analyzed using a generalized estimation equation model, according to repeated measures at baseline and most recent stage.

Based on the study, the researchers reported the following findings:

• After adjustment, the odds ratios of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease for gallstone development in men and women were 3.019 and 2.201, respectively.
• Among patients aged ≥ 50 years, the odds ratio for gallstone development was significantly enhanced with increasing MAFLD component numbers in both sexes; however, no significance was observed in those aged < 50 years.
• Other significant risk factors for gallstone development were age (odds ratio: 1.093) and waist circumference (odds ratio: 1.048) in men and age (odds ratio: 1.035) and current smoking (odds ratio: 5.465) in women.

"The findings showed that risk factors for gallstone development differed between sexes, but metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease was common," the researchers wrote.

"Paying attention to an increase in the number of MAFLD components in patients aged ≥ 50 years is important for gallstone prevention," they concluded.

Reference:

Sogabe, M., Okahisa, T., Kagawa, M., Sei, M., Kagemoto, K., Tanaka, H., Kida, Y., Nakamura, F., Tomonari, T., Okamoto, K., Miyamoto, H., Sato, Y., Nakasono, M., & Takayama, T. Association of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease with gallstone development: A longitudinal study. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.16483