Prevalence of Obesity in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) (LeanMASLD)

March 4, 2026 updated by: Amira Mohammed Abdel Mowgod, Assiut University
Our study will assess the prevalence of obesity among patients with (MASLD) and to evaluate the characteristics of lean MAFLD patients.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become more common in recent years. NAFLD is thought to be the primary cause of chronic liver disorders, and it has grown to be a significant global public health concern.

The prevalence of NAFLD has been steadily rising due to changes in lifestyle and dietary patterns, making it the most common chronic liver ailment globally.

The global prevalence of NAFLD is 30.1%. Recently published an international expert consensus statement about a new definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to replace non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The new nomenclature of MAFLD is based on the presence of steatosis in >5% of hepatocytes and the absence of excessive alcohol consumption or other causes of chronic liver disease, diagnosis of MAFLD could be established on the presence of hepatic steatosis in combination with one of the following three criteria: overweight/obesity; presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus; or evidence of metabolic dysregulation.

Metabolic dysregulation is defined as having at least 2 of the following metabolic risk abnormalities: high waist circumference, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, and high plasma C-reactive protein levels.

In 2023, a new name, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). At the same time, experts introduced the broad umbrella term steatotic liver disease (SLD) to encompass both metabolic- and alcohol-based fatty liver disease. As an umbrella term, SLD allows for a continuum of alcohol ingestion to more adequately quantify its role in the progression of liver disease.

Irrespective of the nomenclature, MASLD is recognized as the most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD), with the most recent meta-analysis suggesting that more than 38% of the world's adult population and between 7% and 14% of children are affected. Although the burden of MASLD is increasing around the world, in the many countries where viral hepatitis remains endemic, resources and efforts to treat and reduce that disease must continue to be prioritized.

Although NAFLD is observed predominantly in persons with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), an estimated 7%-20% oindividuals with NAFLD have leanbody habitus.

Lean NAFLD is generally defined by the presence of NAFLD in an individual who does not have an overweight or obese BMI. For adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization define a normal range BMI to be between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2; BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 is considered overweight and BMI of 30- 34.9 kg/m2 is grade 1 obesity.

The World Health Organization recommends a lower BMI cutoff for overweight and obesity (BMI 23-27.5 kg/m2 for overweight and BMI >27.5 kg/m2 for obesity) for those of Asian ancestry, recognizing that different populations may experience metabolic risk at a lower BMI. We suggest using the term lean NAFLD when discussing NAFLD in the setting of a normal range BMI.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

200

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

  • After obtaining the appropriate consents, data pertaining to clinical history (name, age, sex, residence, occupation, co-morbidities… diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, special habits; such as alcohol intake).
  • Imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography (US), fibroscan with CAP and/or computed topography (CT) and /or MRI.
  • Blood samples will be collected for CBC. ( Hb level , WBCs, Platelets), liver function tests (albumin, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bilirubin), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL), CRP, serum uric acid, HbA1c, and Kidney function test(serum urea and creatinine).
  • Six measurements will be obtained (sex, age, height, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • All patients aged >18 years old
  • diagnosed as fatty liver based on clinical examination, laboratory investigations and imaging techniques

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients aged ≤18 years old.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Presence of malignancy
  • Type I DM.
  • Fatty liver patients on treatment by statin derivatives or other medications.
  • Fatty liver patients undergone bariatric surgerie

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Prevalence of Obesity and Clinical Characteristics of Lean MASLD Patients
Time Frame: 24 month
This study aims to assess the prevalence of obesity among patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and metabolic characteristics of lean MASLD patients
24 month

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 28, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 28, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 4, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 04-2026-300793

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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