Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
APASL Congress 2025, Beijing, Çin, 26 - 31 Mart 2025, ss.1
Pruritus and fatigue in patients with metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease: a study of Turkish patients from the Global NASH/MASH Registry
Background and Aims: Despite being underappreciated, pruritus and fatigue are not uncommon in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In this prospective registry-based study, we sought to evaluate the prevalence, predictors, and impact of these symptoms on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with MASLD from Türkiye, a country with one of the highest burdens of MASLD globally.
Methods: A total of 1874 Turkish patients from the Global Liver Registry were included. Significant pruritus and fatigue were defined using the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire-NASH (CLDQ-NASH) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), respectively. PROs were assessed using the CLDQ-NASH, FACIT-F, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific Health Problem (WPAI:SHP) questionnaire
Results: The prevalence of significant pruritus and fatigue was 37% and 33%, respectively. Both symptoms were significantly associated with female sex, type 2 diabetes, depression, abdominal pain, and lack of regular exercise. Patients with these symptoms had significantly worse PROs, with impairments up to 31% (all p < 0.0001). Over 1−2 years, symptoms persisted in 47−52% of patients with baseline pruritus and 33−39% with baseline fatigue. Independent predictors of a
higher likelihood of resolution of pruritus included the absence of fatigue at baseline and the lack of abdominal pain, with odds ratios of 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22−0.59) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.39−0.91), respectively (both p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Pruritus and fatigue are common in MASLD, significantly impairing PROs and often persisting over time. Regular assessment and management are essential to improve
patients’ well-being and functioning.