Prevalence, trends, and characteristics of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease among the US population aged 12–79 years

Background and aims Clinical observation revealed an increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) prevalence among adults and adolescents and young adults (AYA). However, its prevalence trend in specific subgroups and its characteristics are unclear. Approach and results This cross-sectional study included adults and AYA aged 20–79 and 12–19 years, respectively, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018. MASLD was defined as US Fatty Liver Index ≥30 in adults and alanine amino transaminase elevation and obesity in AYA. Joinpoint and logistic regression were used to evaluate the MASLD prevalence trend and its associated characteristics. MASLD was diagnosed in 17 156 892 of 51 109 914 (33.6%) adults and 1 705 586 of 29 278 666 AYA (5.8%). During the study period, MASLD prevalence significantly increased from 30.8% to 37.7% ( P < 0.01) in adults and in subgroups of female participants, individuals aged 20–45 and 61–79 years, and non-Hispanic white individuals. Conversely, MASLD prevalence did not significantly change in AYA (from 5.1% to 5.2%, P = 0.139), except in the subgroup of Mexican Americans (from 8.2% to 10.8%, P = 0.01). Among adults, high MASLD prevalence was associated with male sex, Mexican American ethnicity, age >50 years, being unmarried, poverty income ratio <130, poor or fair health condition, obesity or overweight, and chronic conditions. Among AYA, high MASLD prevalence was associated with male sex, poverty income ratio <130, and education. Conclusion Accordingly, we concluded that health care providers should prevent and treat conditions associated with MASLD by raising awareness of the increasing trend of MASLD.