Assessment Of Prevalence Of Fibrosis In Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Using FibroScan® In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Andhra Pradesh

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as MAFLD, has emerged as a major public health concern in South Asia, driven by rising obesity, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles. Despite its high burden, fibrosis— the strongest predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality— remains underdiagnosed, particularly in resource-limited regions like Andhra Pradesh, India. Objective To assess the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis and its association with metabolic and lifestyle risk factors in MASLD patients using FibroScan® in a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted among 194 patients diagnosed with MASLD. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed non-invasively using FibroScan®. Clinical, demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle data were collected through structured interviews and medical record reviews. Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests and regression models to evaluate associations between risk factors and fibrosis. Results Hepatic fibrosis was identified in 160 of 194 MASLD patients (82.5%). Elevated BMI (> 23) was significantly associated with fibrosis (p = 0.0389), with 83.1% of fibrosis cases occurring in overweight or obese individuals. Although physical inactivity (78.1%), hypertension (27.5%), and diabetes mellitus (21.9%) were common in fibrosis patients, these associations were not statistically significant. Non-vegetarian diets were significantly associated with steatosis (p = 0.0035) but not with fibrosis. Gender analysis revealed that while males constituted the majority of fibrosis cases, females had a disproportionately higher rate relative to their group size. Conclusion This study highlights a substantial burden of hepatic fibrosis among MASLD patients in Andhra Pradesh, with BMI > 23 as the strongest independent predictor. These findings underscore the need for early, BMI-based risk stratification and integration of non-invasive diagnostics like FibroScan® into routine care. Public health interventions should prioritize weight management, lifestyle modification, and region-specific risk assessment to curb fibrosis progression in high-risk populations.