Steatotic liver disease is a marker of multimorbidity, not underlying cirrhosis, in older adults

Abstract

Steatotic liver disease (SLD) prevalence in adults is estimated at 30%, but older populations are understudied. Here, SLD prevalence and associated risk factors were assessed 1,021 Whitehall II study participants (mean age 72.5) using transient elastography (FibroScan). SLD was present in 33.3% (CAP ≥ 275 dB/m), with most classified as metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD. Only 2.4% had significant fibrosis ( ≥ 7.9 kPa). Adjusted for age and sex, SLD was associated with low physical activity (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.13-2.27), poorer motor function (SF-36 PCS OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.05-1.40), difficulties in activities of daily living (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.17-8.64), and multimorbidity (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22-1.73). These associations persisted after adjustment for socioeconomic, behavioural, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Frailty was associated with SLD at higher CAP thresholds ( ≥ 290 dB/m). In this older adult sample, SLD is common and appears more as a marker of multimorbidity and low physical activity than significant fibrosis.