Prevalence and Risk Factors of MASLD and Liver Fibrosis Amongst the Penitentiary Population in Catalonia: The PRISONAFLD Study

Overview

Journal J Clin Med

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2023 Dec 9

PMID 38068330

Authors

Jesus Rivera-Esteban

Alba Jimenez-Masip

Sergio Munoz-Martinez

Salvador Augustin

Rafael A Guerrero

Pablo Gabriel-Medina

Roser Ferrer-Costa

Francisco Rodriguez-Frias

Elisabet Turu

Andres Marco

Juan M Pericas

The Prisonafld Study Group Collaborators

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background And Aims: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS), has increased among the prison population. Nevertheless, we have limited data on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of this syndrome. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of MASLD and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis in the penitentiary population in Catalonia, Spain.

Method: A cross-sectional observational study involving eight penitentiary centers. Participants had at least one metabolic disorder and were at a closed-regimen penitentiary. Individuals with concomitant liver diseases and/or alcohol risk consumption were excluded. Significant fibrosis and MASLD were defined as liver stiffness ≥8 kPa and a controlled attenuation parameter ≥275 dB/m by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), respectively. After exclusions, metabolic inmates with VCTE were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of MASLD and MASLD-associated significant fibrosis.

Results: Out of the 4338 inmates studied, 1290 (29.7%) had metabolic disorders, and 646 (14.9%) underwent VCTE. The mean age was 48.0 years (SD 12.1), and 89.5% were male. MASLD prevalence was 33.9%. Significant fibrosis and MASLD-associated significant fibrosis were found in 16.4% and 9.4% of inmates, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, T2D, waist circumference, MetS, and higher ALT values were identified as independent risk factors for MASLD and MASLD-associated significant fibrosis amongst the prison population.

Conclusions: Metabolic disorders including MASLD are highly prevalent among inmates. The prevalence of significant fibrosis seems notably higher than that of the general population, underscoring the need for targeted screening programs and therapeutic interventions in the incarcerated population.

Citing Articles

Association of MASLD Phenotypes With Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis C: The Role of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors.

Elgretli W, Shengir M, Sasson S, Ramanakumar A, Cinque F, Ballestreros L J Viral Hepat. 2025; 32(2):e70004.

PMID: 39868661 PMC: 11771651. DOI: 10.1111/jvh.70004.

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