Relationship Between MAFLD and Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

This project is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. All CHB patients who underwent at least 2 liver stiffness assessments with a Fibroscan device at least 6 months apart are eligible for enrolment. At baseline (defined as the first liver stiffness assessment) patients will be allocated to one of 4 groups (figure) based on use of antiviral therapy and presence of MAFLD. MAFLD is defined as presence of steatosis (based on ultrasound, histology or controlled attenuation parameter) in the presence of overweight (BMI >23 for Asians or >25 for Caucasians), diabetes mellitus, or at least 2 minor metabolic dysfunction criteria.(9) Baseline and follow-up data on biochemistry, virology, liver stiffness and clinical outcomes will be collected for all eligible patients. In case of initiation of antiviral therapy or development of MAFLD during follow-up, patients will transition to the appropriate cohort from that time-point onwards.

To ascertain the influence of the presence of MAFLD on liver stiffness progression, changes in liver stiffness will be compared within study groups (ie. cohort A vs B and cohort C vs D). To study the influence of antiviral therapy on liver stiffness progression in relation to presence of MAFLD, liver stiffness dynamics will be compared in cohort B vs cohort D (figure). The latter analysis will also be performed in the subgroup of patients with low levels of viremia (HBV DNA <2,000 IU/mL) and/or low levels of ALT (< 2 times the upper limit of normal).