High Prevalence of Pruritus, Fatigue, and Sleep Disorders in MASLD Negatively Affects Health-related Quality of Life and Work Productivity
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000002458
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: advanced fibrosis, anxiety, depression, HRQL, insomnia, itching
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: – Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) impairment, which can be exacerbated by pruritus, fatigue, and/or sleep disorders. We assessed the prevalence of significant pruritus, fatigue, and sleep disorders in patients with MASLD and evaluated their association with HRQL and work productivity loss. Methods: – Patients with MASLD were prospectively enrolled into the Global NAFLD/MASLD Registry. Clinical and HRQL (per CLDQ-MASH and WPAI:SHP questionnaires) data were analyzed according to the presence of significant pruritus, significant fatigue, and sleep disorders. Results: – A total of 8034 patients with MASLD from 39 countries (age 54±12 years, 46% male, 50% type 2 diabetes, 39% advanced fibrosis) were included. At baseline, 25% reported significant pruritus, 35% significant fatigue, and 34% sleep disorders, and 10% had all 3 symptoms. Patients with fatigue, pruritus, or sleep disorder were more likely to be female, have higher BMI, more metabolic comorbidities, and greater psychiatric burden. At 1-year follow-up, over half of the patients with baseline symptoms continued to experience them, and 14% to 18% developed de novo symptoms. Multivariate analyses showed that significant pruritus and sleep disorders each independently predicted fatigue [OR=9.51 (8.0-11.3)] when both conditions were present. Pruritus was a strong predictor of sleep disorders [OR=2.90 (2.6-3.3)]. All 3 conditions, especially fatigue, were independently associated with significantly impaired HRQL and work productivity loss. Conclusion: – Clinically significant fatigue, pruritus, and sleep disorders are common in MASLD, having a negative impact on HRQL and a substantial economic burden.