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Epidemiology of Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in South Asian Ethnicities: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background and Aims People of South Asian ethnicities are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome, but the epidemiology of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in this population remains poorly understood. This systematic review and meta‐analysis assesses the prevalence, cross‐sectional severity, and clinically relevant endpoints of MASLD in this group. Methods Studies from January 2002 to November 2023 across PubMed, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane databases, meeting inclusion criteria, were included. We performed a random effects meta‐analysis to calculate pooled prevalence and proportions. Results Sixty‐two articles met inclusion criteria ( n = 40 745). Fifty‐three were based in India, 4 in Sri Lanka, 3 in Pakistan, and 2 in Bangladesh. The pooled prevalence of MASLD in studies that did not select for T2DM status was 34.7% (95% CI 29.0%–40.5%, I 2 = 99.5%) and higher in studies with only T2DM patients, 60.0% (95% CI 48.9%–71.1%, I 2 = 99.0%). The pooled prevalence was higher in urban (47.1%; 95% CI 36.1%–58.1%, I 2 = 99.7%) compared with rural (18.5%; 95% CI 13.7%–23.3%, I 2 = 96.2%) settings. The pooled average proportion of participants with advanced fibrosis (≥ F3) was 14.0% (95% CI 9.2%–18.7%, I 2 = 91.5%). Four studies reported on clinical outcomes of interest; however, all had different endpoints, and so meta‐analysis was not possible. Conclusions MASLD prevalence in South Asian ethnicities is high, and the proportion of people with advanced fibrosis may be higher compared with multiethnic populations, though high‐quality longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology of this cohort.

Source: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

DOI: 10.1111/jgh.70080

Authors: Michael James, Melanie Smuk, Naheeda Rahman, Georgia Black, William Alazawi

Institutions: Queen Mary University of London, Blizard Institute

Language: English

Topic: Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,620