Colorectal adenomas and MAFLD: a cross-sectional study in a hispanic screening cohort

Abstract

Aims: Prior evidence demonstrates an association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and colorectal adenomas (CRA) risk. However, information using the new definition of the disease [i.e., metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)] is scarce. We aimed to assess the relationship between MAFLD and CRA risk. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients from three university centers in Chile who underwent a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening and abdominal imaging study. We obtained sociodemographic and clinical data, and we performed univariate and multivariable regression analyses. Results: In total, 895 patients were included; 42% were male, the mean age was 59.9 ± 9.3 years, and 37.8% (338) had CRA. Patients harboring polyps were predominantly males (48.2% vs. 38.2%, P = 0.002), older (61.6 ± 8.7 years vs. 58.9 ± 9.5 years, P < 0.001), and exhibited a higher body weight than controls [75 (66-88) kg vs. 72 (63-82.3) kg, P = 0.002]. Fifty-six percent of patients showed hepatic steatosis in imaging studies and 54.4% met MAFLD diagnostic criteria. The adenoma detection rate was higher in the MAFLD group compared to controls (46.4% vs. 27.5%, P < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, MAFLD was significantly associated with the presence of CRA (odds ratio = 2.32; 95%CI: 1.68-3.19, P < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences of histopathological characteristics of the adenomas according to the presence of MAFLD. Conclusion: The present study shows that, in Chilean Hispanic subjects, MAFLD is associated with an increased risk of CRA. This information may be useful to design specific screening colonoscopy recommendations in MAFLD patients.

Metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease is associated with colorectal adenomas in young and older Korean adults

“…Earlier studies, including a systematic review, 24–26 reported a moderate increase in the incidence and prevalence of CRA in patients with NAFLD. However, limited studies 18,27 have investigated the relationship between MAFLD and CRA, especially early‐onset CRA, with the distinction between low‐ and high‐risk CRAs.…”

Racial and ethnic disparities in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

“…Multiple studies have been done investigating the significance of racial and ethnic disparities in patients undergoing liver transplantation for MASLD-related HCC. Couto et al found that Hispanic patients were at increased risk for needing liver transplant for MASLD-related HCC, which may be attributed to Hispanic individuals with HCC having more co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension than non-Hispanic individuals with HCC [36] . It is important to note that while the impact of MASLD on certain populations' risks of other associated diseases such as colorectal cancer has been established thoroughly, there is a lack of research on these phenomena in certain racial and ethnic groups [37] .…”