American researchers have identified five biological patterns of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), which differ in genetic characteristics, health indicators, and potential risks, in results that may contribute to improving disease assessment and developing more tailored treatment approaches.
The results showed that the disease, known by the acronym MASLD, does not follow the same course in all patients; some patterns are associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, while others are linked to genetic factors that may increase the risk of advanced liver damage, even in individuals without traditional risk factors for the disease.
Study Methodology
The scientific website Science Daily reported on Sunday that the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, relied on analyzing genetic data and medical records of more than 4,600 patients, aiming to identify biological differences that may explain variations in disease progression and complications among patients.
The analysis included a range of health indicators, such as liver enzymes, body mass index, and blood fat levels, as well as the presence of diabetes, depression, and sleep apnea. Researchers used computer models to identify groups of patients who share similar genetic and clinical characteristics, allowing the classification of the disease into five sub-patterns.
Common Health Associations
Researchers, affiliated with the Mayo Clinic and Virginia Tech, also observed associations between some of these patterns and other health conditions, including depression, sleep apnea, and migraines, suggesting the possibility of shared biological mechanisms, without the results proving a direct causal relationship between these conditions and fatty liver disease.
Researchers believe that identifying these different biological patterns may help in the future to recognize patients at higher risk of complications, improve screening programs, and guide treatment choices based on the genetic and clinical characteristics of each patient, rather than relying on a uniform approach for all cases.
Future of Research
The research team intends to verify the results among larger and more diverse groups of patients, and to study how different sub-patterns respond to available treatments, including medications used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, such as drugs targeting GLP-1 receptors.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is a common condition globally. It may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages, but it can progress in some patients to hepatitis and scarring, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer in advanced cases.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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