#149 - Dynamic Changes in Steatotic Liver Disease Subtype Classification and Predictors of Advanced Fibrosis in Latin America
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction and Objectives Latin America is underrepresented in prospective steatotic liver disease (SLD) studies. This multinational study assessed advanced fibrosis risk across SLD subtypes in Latin America. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional analysis of prospectively enrolled adults with SLD (2023 criteria) at 16 tertiary centers in seven countries (2024–2026). We performed standardized interviews and assessed fibrosis using liver biopsy or vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) when biopsy was unavailable (advanced fibrosis: biopsy F3 or VCTE 12 kPa). We used logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), physical activity, and SLD subtype. Results We included 914 participants; median age was 62 years, 56.6% were women, median BMI was 30.3 kg/m2, and 46.4% had T2DM. Based on historical diagnoses, 86.2% had MASLD, 5.4% MetALD, and 8.4% ALD ( Figure A ). At enrollment, 87.8% with prior MetALD reported alcohol intake within the MASLD alcohol range, while 50.7% and 46.5% with prior ALD were within the MASLD and MetALD alcohol ranges, respectively. Advanced fibrosis prevalence was 35,5%. Age (aOR:1.05, 95%CI:1.03–1.07; p<0.0001), T2DM (aOR:3.65, 95%CI:2.32–5.74; p<0.0001), MetALD (aOR:2.72, 95%CI:1.32–5.58; p=0.007) and ALD (aOR:21.33, 95%CI:9.02–50.44; p<0.0001) were independently associated with higher odds of advanced fibrosis, whereas those who walked >10,000 daily steps had lower odds (aOR:0.06, 95%CI:0.01–0.35; p=0.002)( Figure B ). Conclusions In this multicenter Latin American SLD cohort, advanced fibrosis was common and mainly associated with alcohol-related SLD subtypes, T2DM, and older age, while physical activity was protective (FONDECYT 1241450).
Source: Annals of Hepatology
Authors: Luis Díaz, Francisco Idalsoaga, Mario Pessoa, Claudia De Oliveira, Patricia Zitelli, Scherezada Mejía-Loza, Ezequiel Ridruejo, Mirta Peralta, Cesar Castro, Jorge Garavito-Rentería, Rommel Zambrano-Huailla, Gustavo Ayares, Nancy Solis, María Orellana, Francisco Barrera, Sebastián Marciano, Adrian Gadano, Jorge Martínez, María Acosta, Martín Tagle, Hugo Cedron, Ismael Yepes, Dalis Pérez, María Saavedra-Chacón, Samuel Pérez, Ignacio García-Juárez, Orfanel Pineda-Arzarte, Liz Toapanta-Yanchapaxi, Aline Sorribas, Manuel Mendizabal, Lorena Castro, Loreto Aguilar, Samantha Wu, Catalina Roa, Fabiana Nina, Estefania Liza, Javier Díaz, Roberto Pérez, María Martinez, Natalie Vilcinskas, Daniza Contreras, Daniela Simian, Juan Roblero, Pamela Gil, Arun Sanyal, Juan Arab, Marco Arrese
Institutions: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital Juárez de México, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno, Hospital Muñiz, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Universidad de Cartagena, Clínica CES, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Hospital Universitario Austral, Universidad de Los Andes, Chile, Universidad del Alba, National University of San Marcos, Instituto Nacional de Diabetes, Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, University of Chile, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
OpenAlex ID: W7204239245