Global burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, 2010 to 2021
Gong Feng, Giovanni Targher, Christopher D. Byrne, Yusuf Yılmaz, Vincent Wai‐Sun Wong, Cosmas Rinaldi Adithya Lesmana, Leon A. Adams, Jérôme Boursier, George Papatheodoridis, Mohamed El‐Kassas, Nahúm Méndez‐Sánchez, Silvia Sookoian, Laurent Castéra, Wah‐Kheong Chan, Feng Ye, Sombat Treeprasertsuk, Helena Cortez‐Pinto, Hon Ho Yu, Won Kim, Manuel Romero‐Gómez, Atsushi Nakajima, Khin Maung Win, Seung Up Kim, Adriaan G. Holleboom, Giada Sebastiani, Ponsiano Ocama, John Ryan, Monica Lupșor‐Platon, Hasmik Ghazinyan, Mamun Al-Mahtab, Saeed Hamid, Nilanka Perera, Khalid Alswat, Qiuwei Pan, Michelle T. Long, Isakov Va, Man Mi, Marco Arrese, Arun J. Sanyal, Shiv Kumar Sarin, Nathalie C. Leite, Luca Valenti, Philip N. Newsome, Hannes Hagström, Salvatore Petta, Hannele Yki‐Järvinen, Jörn M. Schattenberg, Marlén Castellanos, Isabelle Leclercq, Gulnara Aghayeva, Abdel‐Naser Elzouki, Ali Tumi, Ala I. Sharara, Asma Labidi, Faisal M. Sanai, Khaled Matar, Maen Almattooq, Maisam Akroush, Mustapha Benazzouz, Nabil Debzi, Maryam Alkhatry, Salma Barakat, Said A. Al‐Busafi, John Rwegasha, Wah Yang, Adwoa Agyei‐Nkansah, Christopher Opio, Mohammadjavad Sotoudeheian, Yu Jun Wong, Jacob George, Ming‐Hua Zheng
Abstract
Background & Aims: This study used the Global Burden of Disease data (2010-2021) to analyze the rates and trends of point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in 204 countries. Methods: Total numbers and age-standardized rates per 100,000 population for MASLD prevalence, annual incidence, and YLDs were compared across regions and countries by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Smoothing spline models were used to evaluate the relationship between the burden of MASLD and SDI. Estimates were reported with uncertainty intervals (UI). Results: 14,310.6 cases per 100,000 population). Prevalence peaked at ages 45-49 for men and 50-54 for women. Kuwait (32,312.2 cases per 100,000 people; 95% UI: 29,947.1-34,839.0), Egypt (31,668.8 cases per 100,000 people; 95% UI: 29,272.5-34,224.7), and Qatar (31,327.5 cases per 100,000 people; 95% UI: 29,078.5-33,790.9) had the highest prevalence rates in 2021. The largest increases in age-standardized point prevalence estimates from 2010 to 2021 were in China (16.9%, 95% UI 14.7%-18.9%), Sudan (13.3%, 95% UI 9.8%-16.7%) and India (13.2%, 95% UI 12.0%-14.4%). MASLD incidence varied with SDI, peaking at moderate SDI levels. Conclusions: MASLD is a global health concern, with the highest prevalence reported in Kuwait, Egypt, and Qatar. Raising awareness about risk factors and prevention is essential in every country, especially in China, Sudan and India, where disease incidence and prevalence are rapidly increasing. Impact and implications: This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the global burden of MASLD, highlighting its rising prevalence and incidence, particularly in countries with varying sociodemographic indices. The findings are significant for both clinicians and policymakers, as they offer critical insights into the regional disparities in MASLD burden, which can inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies. However, the study's reliance on modeling and available data suggests cautious interpretation, and further research is needed to validate these findings in clinical and real-world settings.