The MASLD and MASH Hispanic disparity: adult and pediatric prevalences, contributing factors, and outcomes of disease and therapies
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease globally. This disease is known to disproportionately impact Hispanic populations, with adult Hispanic populations in the U.S. experiencing a greater prevalence of MASLD and greater burden of MASLD severity when compared to White and Black populations in the U.S. This scoping literature review aimed to provide an updated analysis of the MASLD disparities in prevalence and severity experienced by U.S. Hispanic adults, as well as to reexamine MASLD outcomes within the Hispanic community. This review also held the same objectives for pediatric U.S. Hispanic populations. The final aim of this review was to provide an overview of the main dietary and lifestyle therapeutic guidelines provided to MASLD patients in the U.S. Literature was selected through a search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases, and relevant studies published between 2013 and February 2024 were included. The rates reported for MASLD prevalence and severity for U.S. Hispanic populations found in this search were consistently higher than the rates reported for White and Black U.S. populations. The prevalences of MASLD reported for adult U.S. Hispanic populations ranged from 33.0% to 63.7%, and the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) was found to be approximately 24.4%. High rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes within the U.S. adult Hispanic population was found to contribute to worse MASLD severity and outcomes. With Hispanic individuals in the U.S. being disproportionately impacted by MASLD and MASH and with MASH being associated with a 50% higher rate of death than MASLD, it is clear that this population requires targeted screening, diagnosis, and treatment efforts. The pediatric community was also found to have a high prevalence of MASLD and MASH, however the long-term outcomes of early onset MASLD in this population require further study. Hispanic adolescents in the U.S. have a MASLD prevalence of approximately 26.9%, and over a third of children with MASLD were also found to have MASH. The disproportionate impact of MASLD on Hispanic communities in the U.S. may suggest a need for screening and diagnostic tools and guidelines which are tailored to these populations. Moreover, dietary treatment guidelines should continue to emphasize both a Mediterranean-like diet with room for customization to cultural and personal preferences, and routine physical activity.
Description
2024
License
Attribution 4.0 International