Body Composition Analysis in Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Saori Onishi, Akira Fukuda, Masahiro Matsui, Kosuke Ushiro, Tomohiro Nishikawa, Akira Asai, Soo Ki Kim, Hiroki Nishikawa
Abstract
We sought to examine body composition using bioimpedance analysis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD, 2014 males and 949 females). Factors linked to the fat-free mass index (FF index) were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis. An FF index < 18 kg/m2 in males and an FF index < 15 kg/m2 in females were defined as having decreased skeletal muscle mass. The median age and body mass index (BMI) were 55 years and 25.4 kg/m2 in males, and 57 years and 25.4 kg/m2 in females, respectively. The FF index strongly correlated with muscle mass index both in males (r = 0.999) and females (r = 0.999). The prevalence of patients with an FF index < 18 kg/m2 in males and an FF index < 15 kg/m2 in females was well stratified according to age, BMI, severity of FL, and FIB4 index. In the males, in the multivariate analysis, BMI (p < 0.0001), fat mass index (p < 0.0001), and waist circumference (p = 0.0050) were found to be significant factors linked to FF index. In the females, in the multivariate analysis, BMI (p < 0.0001) and fat mass index (p < 0.0001) were found to be significant. In conclusion, fat accumulation as reflected by BMI, which is an easily available marker, could be a useful indicator for the skeletal muscle mass in MAFLD.