Odds for Presence of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease ( MASLD) in Individuals with Reported Hepatic Steatosis on Ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate Odds Ratio for Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatosic Liver Disease (MASLD) in individuals with hepatic steatosis on ultrasound examination. METHODOLOGY: This case-control study was conducted in Department of Medicine, Dr. Ruth KM Pfau, Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan during the period 16th May 2024 & 31st October 2024. Patients of either gender, between the ages of 20 -70 years undergoing ultrasound were included after taking informed consent. Patients were allocated to two groups based on presence or absence of Hepatic Steatosis on ultrasound. Patients were labelled as having metabolic syndrome as defined in the operational definition. Odds Ratio was calculated for risk of metabolic syndrome in Hepatic steatosis. RESULTS: A total of ninety-two patients/subjects fulfilling criteria were included in study, these included 37 (40.2%) males and 55 (59.8%) females. Weight and BMI were significantly higher in the Steatotic Group. Significantly higher frequencies of hypertension, metabolic syndrome and overweight were found in the Steatotic Group. Odds ratio calculation showed that the risk of metabolic syndrome in patients having hepatic steatosis was 7.273 times higher than in patients who do not have hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSION: Odds of developing Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in patients who have hepatic steatosis on ultrasound are very high. Steps should be taken to prevent this complication by early identification and management.