Body weight variability tied to liver-related outcomes in T2D, MASLD

Increased body weight variability (BWV) contributes to adverse liver outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a study has found. However, physical activity may attenuate such risk.

This study included 549 T2D patients with MASLD who had their BWV parameters assessed during the first 2 years of follow-up. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the relationship between BWV and liver outcomes (clinical cirrhosis or liver stiffness measurement on transient elastography >15 kPa, performed after a median of 7 years of cohort entry).

The investigators also conducted interaction or subgroup analyses based on the participants’ physical activity during the initial 2-year period.

Over an additional follow-up for a median 9.7 years, 34 liver outcomes were recorded. Of these, 14 were clinical cirrhosis and 20 were liver stiffness measurement >15 kPa.

An increase of 1 SD in weight SD and average real variability correlated with a 52-percent (95 percent confidence interval, 4‒128) higher likelihood of having an adverse liver outcome. In interaction/subgroup analyses, an increased BWV appeared to contribute to greater odds of developing liver outcomes in sedentary individuals.

“Increased BWV was associated with adverse liver outcomes in individuals with T2D and MASLD; however, in those who were physically active, it was not hazardous,” the investigators said.