Low Thyroid Function is Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Overview

Journal JGH Open

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2024 Feb 26

PMID 38405186

Authors

Shuo Wang

Ding Xia

Hong Fan

Zhenqiu Liu

Ruilin Chen

Chen Suo

TieJun Zhang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background And Aim: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is recently introduced to better highlight the pathogenic significance of cardiometabolic dysfunction, as compared with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between low thyroid function and MASLD in the new context.

Methods: We recruited 2901 participants for our retrospective cohort study from 2016 to 2021. Participants were divided into strict-normal thyroid function and low thyroid function groups (low-normal thyroid function, subclinical hypothyroidism) based on initial thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, respectively. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI.

Results: During a median follow-up of 15.6 months, 165 (8.9%) strict-normal thyroid function subjects and 141 (13.4%) low thyroid function subjects developed MASLD; this result was statistically relevant ( < 0.05). Univariate regression analysis showed that low thyroid function and subclinical hypothyroidism were statistically significantly associated with MASLD (low thyroid function: HR1.53; 95% CI 1.22-1.92; subclinical hypothyroidism: HR1.95; 95% CI 1.47-2.60).

Conclusions: MASLD is associated with low thyroid function and the relationship between MASLD and low thyroid function is independent.

Citing Articles

Hypothyroidism/subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: advances in mechanism and treatment.

Pu S, Zhao B, Jiang Y, Cui X Lipids Health Dis. 2025; 24(1):75.

PMID: 40016726 PMC: 11866868. DOI: 10.1186/s12944-025-02474-0.

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