#165 - Higher Mediterranean Diet Adherence Is Associated With Lower Liver Fibrosis Risk Across Steatotic Liver Disease Subtypes in Latin America
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction and Objectives The Mediterranean diet may play a protective role in steatotic liver disease (SLD), but this relationship remains poorly characterized in Latin America. We aimed to identify the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and the risk of liver fibrosis across the 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 recorded the Chilean Mediterranean Dietary Index (MDI, adapted for regional use). Fibrosis was assessed by liver biopsy and/or vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) (significant fibrosis: biopsy F2 or VCTE 8 kPa if biopsy unavailable). Analysis included a logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), MDI, and SLD subtype. Results We included 491 participants (median age 59 years and 52.8% women). A total of 81.6% had MASLD, 9.6% MetALD, and 8.8% ALD. Significant fibrosis prevalence was 40.6%. The mean MDI was 5.5±1.8, and 35.6% had low adherence, 62.7% moderate adherence, and 1.6% high adherence. Mean MDI differed significantly across SLD subtypes (MASLD:5.6±1.7, MetALD:5.2±1.8, and ALD:4.3±1.7; p=0.007) ( Figure ). Higher MDI adherence was independently associated with lower odds of significant fibrosis (aOR:0.83; 95%CI:0.74–0.94; p=0.003). Conclusions In this well-characterized multinational cohort of adults with SLD, Mediterranean diet adherence was suboptimal, particularly in ALD. Higher MDI was independently associated with lower odds of significant fibrosis, supporting the Mediterranean diet as a potential modifiable factor across the SLD spectrum (FONDECYT 1241450).
Source: Annals of Hepatology
Authors: Luis Díaz, Francisco Idalsoaga, Mario Pessoa, Claudia 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, Martin 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 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
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
OpenAlex ID: W7204245494