Evidence mapPaperPMID 41372862Full record

SynthesisBMC gastroenterology2025

Comparative efficacy of different diet modalities on metabolic profiles and liver functions in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a network meta-analysis.

Jiahui Zou, Fei Tian, Shuqing Cui, Jing Hou, Zhenhua Li, Yaochen Wei, Haozhe Cui, Yunpeng Li, Shuanghao Zhou, Zechao He and 1 more

Abstract readComparative StudyNetwork Meta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC gastroenterology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Jiahui Zou *Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Fei Tian *Department of Tumor Chemoradiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, People's Republic of China.
Shuqing CuiDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Jing HouDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Zhenhua LiDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Yaochen WeiDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Haozhe CuiSchool of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Yunpeng LiDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Shuanghao ZhouDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Zechao HeDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
Xiangming MaDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, KaiLuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China. brighter_ma@163.com.

Funding

the 2023 Talent Project of Tangshan City B202302016
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMetabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a global public health challenge that is primarily managed through lifestyle interventions, particularly diet. This network meta-analysis aimed to thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of four different dietary patterns: Mediterranean diet (MD), intermittent fasting (IF), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and low-fat diet (LF) in improving liver function and metabolic profiles in adults diagnosed with MAFLD.

methodsIn accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO-ICTRP for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to Oct. 19, 2025, and registered the study on PROSPERO (CRD42024609524). The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 was used to evaluate study quality, and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to rank the intervention effects.

resultsIF emerged as the most effective intervention for weight loss (WMD = -1.96 kg, 95% CI -3.01,-0.92) and reducing waist circumference (WMD = -1.73 cm, 95% CI -2.89,-0.57). Sensitivity analysis indicated that intensive IF regimens might drive stronger improvements than time-restricted feeding. The MD ranked highest for improving hepatic pathology, showing statistically significant reductions in intrahepatic lipid (IHL) (WMD = -1.68%, 95% CI -3.21, -0.16), and triglycerides (WMD = -22.54 mg/dL, 95% CI -42.79, -2.29).

conclusionsIF and MD demonstrate distinct therapeutic profiles for MAFLD. IF serves as a robust strategy for weight management, particularly with more intensive regimens. Conversely, the MD demonstrates potential as a favorable strategy for targeting hepatic steatosis and lipid metabolism disorders. Therefore, clinicians are advised to adopt a personalized strategy, tailoring dietary prescriptions to the patient's primary metabolic characteristics, pending validation from high-quality, long-term RCTs.

Indexed as

Dietary Approaches To Stop HypertensionDiet, Fat-RestrictedDiet, MediterraneanLiverNon-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseFastingHumansMetabolomeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicWaist CircumferenceWeight LossDietLiver functionMetabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver diseaseNetwork meta-analysisRCTs

Identifiers

PMID41372862
PMCPMC12801597

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.