Association Between Metabolically Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Cardiovascular Risk Scores in Urban Adults.

Objectives: Metabolically associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing health issue of concern and is frequently associated with cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to establish the association between MASLD and cardiovascular risk scores among urban adults. Materials and Methods: The study involved 300 adults recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey at community health centres and outpatient clinics in different cities of Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographics, the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) to assess MASLD, and the INTERHEART Modifiable Risk Score (IHMRS) to evaluate cardiovascular risk. The statistical tests were conducted using SPSS v.26, which included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, the Mann-Whitney U-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the chi-square test, and multiple linear regression. Results: The majority of participants were men (N = 210, 70%), and the majority were between 40 and 49 years old (N = 90, 30%). FLI was positively associated with cardiovascular risk (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Both FLI and IHMRS were much more common among men (p < 0.01). The prevalence of fatty liver and cardiovascular risk was highest in participants aged 40-49 years (p < 0.05). The results of triglycerides, GGT, BMI, and FLI (B = 0.065, p < 0.001) were found to be significant predictors via regression analysis. Conclusions: MASLD was strongly associated with cardiovascular risk, particularly in men and middle-aged adults. Incorporating liver health screening into cardiovascular screenings can aid in early detection and prevention.