Sex differences in the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in hospitalized patients: a single-center cross-sectional study
- 1Department of Project Management and Technology Transfer, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
- 2Clinical Research Center of Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Abstract
Background: The influence of sex and age on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among hospitalized patients remains unclear.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 136,816 hospitalized adults (2014–2023) at the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Hepatic steatosis was confirmed by ultrasonography. Sex-specific prevalence was analyzed across younger (18–50 years) and older (51–80 years) age groups.
Results: MASLD prevalence was 28.8% (39,431/136,816). MASLD patients were older than those without MASLD (median 58 vs. 53 years; P < 0.001). Within the hospitalized population, age-stratified analysis revealed sex-specific differences in the odds of MASLD reversal. Women aged 18–50 had a lower prevalence of MASLD than men (OR< 1, P < 0.001), whereas women aged 51-80 had a higher prevalence (OR> 1, P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, calendar year, and sex × age interaction, the sex difference remained significant ( P < 0.001). Women aged 18–50 years had lower adjusted odds of MASLD than men (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.48–0.52), whereas women aged 51–80 years had higher adjusted odds (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.64–1.74). Comparing older women (aged 51–80) with younger women (aged 18–50), the prevalence of MASLD was significantly higher among older women ( P < 0.001). Among all patients, older hospitalized patients also exhibited more pronounced metabolic abnormalities, including elevated BMI (81.8% vs. 44.1%), elevated blood pressure (72.2% vs. 61.0%), and elevated triglycerides (44.6% vs. 20.8%) (all P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Early MASLD screening should be prioritized in hospitalized women aged 50 years and older and hospitalized men under 50 years, particularly those with metabolic prevalence factors, to enable timely intervention and reduce the development and progression of MASLD.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026differences,
title = {{Sex differences in the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in hospitalized patients: a single-center cross-sectional study}},
author = {Zhemin Liu and Suosu Wei},
journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2026.1942008},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1942008/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Sex differences in the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in hospitalized patients: a single-center cross-sectional study
AU - Zhemin Liu
AU - Suosu Wei
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Frontiers in Endocrinology
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2026.1942008
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1942008/full
AB - Background: The influence of sex and age on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among hospitalized patients remains unclear. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 136,816 hospitalized adults (2014–2023) at the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Hepatic steatosis was confirmed by ultrasonography. Sex-specific prevalence was analyzed across younger (18–50 years) and older (51–80 years) age groups. Results: MASLD prevalence was 28.8% (39,431/136,816). MASLD patients were older than those without MASLD (median 58 vs. 53 years; P < 0.001). Within the hospitalized population, age-stratified analysis revealed sex-specific differences in the odds of MASLD reversal. Women aged 18–50 had a lower prevalence of MASLD than men (OR< 1, P < 0.001), whereas women aged 51-80 had a higher prevalence (OR> 1, P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, calendar year, and sex × age interaction, the sex difference remained significant ( P < 0.001). Women aged 18–50 years had lower adjusted odds of MASLD than men (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.48–0.52), whereas women aged 51–80 years had higher adjusted odds (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.64–1.74). Comparing older women (aged 51–80) with younger women (aged 18–50), the prevalence of MASLD was significantly higher among older women ( P < 0.001). Among all patients, older hospitalized patients also exhibited more pronounced metabolic abnormalities, including elevated BMI (81.8% vs. 44.1%), elevated blood pressure (72.2% vs. 61.0%), and elevated triglycerides (44.6% vs. 20.8%) (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Early MASLD screening should be prioritized in hospitalized women aged 50 years and older and hospitalized men under 50 years, particularly those with metabolic prevalence factors, to enable timely intervention and reduce the development and progression of MASLD.
SN - 1664-2392
ER -