Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Risk of Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults
Abstract
Introduction: There is a potential link between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and depression in later life. This study aims to examine whether MASLD is associated with elevated clinically relevant depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: This study utilised longitudinal data from a prospective cohort to quantify the association between MASLD at baseline and depressive symptom trajectories. MASLD, introduced by multinational liver societies to replace Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), highlights the central role of metabolic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of steatotic liver disease. Depression trajectories were estimated across a median follow-up of 4.6 years (IQR: 0.1-7.1 years) and were identified as four distinct patterns of symptoms: 'non-depressed', 'subthreshold depression', 'persistent depression', and 'emerging depression'. Multivariable multinomial logistic regressions were performed to examine the association between baseline MASLD presence and membership of the depression trajectories, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, anthropometric indices, cognitive function, polypharmacy and the number of morbidities. Additional subgroup analyses were also performed.
Results: Of 9097 individuals (mean age 75.1 ± 4.2 years; 55.0% males), 2998 (33%) had MASLD at baseline. Participants with MASLD were significantly more likely to belong to the persistent depression trajectory (RRR = 1.13; 95%…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 9,097 participants or records.
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