Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is not associated with bone mineral density (BMD) alterations in Mexican women: a cross-sectional study

Introduction and Objective

This study aimed to determine the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in Mexican women through a cross-sectional study at a specialized medical center in Mexico City.

Material and methods

Data on cardiovascular risk factors were obtained; transient vibration-controlled elastography (VCTE) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were performed. Patients were divided according to the presence or absence of MAFLD, according to the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). The correlation test between T-score and CAP values was calculated to analyze the relationship between bone mineral density and MAFLD; additionally, the correlation between MAFLD vs. low BMI was determined and the risk ratio was calculated.

Results

MAFLD prevalence of the women enrolled was 63.33% osteopenia and osteoporosis were present in 43.3% and 6.7%, respectively; the bone mineral density (T-score) of the lumbar spine, hip and femur does not show statistical differences between the groups (lumbar spine: −0.83 vs. −0.10 p = 0.10; hip: −0.54 vs. −0.04 p = 0.37). The OR calculated it was 0.750 (95% CI: 0.169 – 3.327).

Discussion

We show that MAFLD and low bone mineral density are common diseases in Mexican women under 60 years of age with prevalence rates greater than 40%; however, these diseases are not associated. The results are consistent with previously reported data, showing that BMI is higher in patients with MAFLD, reinforcing the importance of this factor and its impact on both diseases.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of MAFLD was found in Mexican women regardless of BMD status.

Funding

The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Figure 1. Comparison of the hepatic steatosis degree by means of the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP).