Lifestyle changes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic impact metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background and Aims The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic precipitated lifestyle changes. We aimed to clarify whether COVID‐19–induced lifestyle changes affected the development of metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods This retrospective longitudinal study included 973 participants who underwent health check‐ups between 2018 and 2020. We used data from the MedCity21 health examination registry. Participants' clinical characteristics and lifestyle habits were investigated. Independent lifestyle predictors of MAFLD development before the pandemic (2018‐2019) and during the pandemic (2019‐2020) were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results In 2018, 261 (27%) patients were diagnosed with MAFLD. Before the pandemic, 22 patients developed new MAFLD. During this time, routine late‐night meals were identified as an independent lifestyle predictor of MAFLD development (hazard ratio [HR] 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02‐6.36, P = .046). In contrast, 44 patients developed new MAFLD during the pandemic. During this time, higher daily alcohol intake was identified as an independent lifestyle predictor of MAFLD development (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01‐1.05, P = .008). In participants aged <60 years, daily alcohol intake and the proportion of participants who ate 2 times/day were significantly higher in patients who developed MAFLD during the pandemic than in those who did not. In participants aged ≥60 years, no lifestyle habits were associated with MAFLD development before or during the pandemic. Conclusions New MAFLD diagnoses increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Changes in lifestyle factors, particularly in those aged <60 years, must be monitored and addressed as the pandemic continues.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Performance of Steatosis Indices for Discrimination of CT-Diagnosed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and COVID-19: Harmless companions or disease intensifier?

“…A Japanese study examined 973 patients with health checks in 2018 and 2020. In this study, the absolute number of MAFLD patients increased from 261 to 305; however, as the authors identified predominantly higher alcohol consumption as a risk factor for this development, there is actually a definition problem of MAFLD in the strict sense[ 76 ]. Overall, these studies show a decrease in physical activity and an increase in weight in the general population.…”