MASLD and Atherosclerosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
Why the study?
The relationship between MASLD and subclinical or clinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes remains controversial, with inconsistent findings across imaging modalities and populations.
Does MASLD increase atherosclerosis in adults with Type 2 Diabetes?
Population
Adults with type 2 diabetes and MASLD/NAFLD across included studies
Comparison
Presence vs absence of MASLD/NAFLD or hepatic fibrosis vs steatosis alone
Design
Systematic review of predominantly cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
Key result
MASLD in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with increased carotid plaque progression, with hepatic fibrosis acting as a stronger determinant of atherosclerosis than steatosis alone.
Authors
Loading...
Evidence on MASLD-atherosclerosis link in T2D remains inconsistent across modalities; leaves open need for standardized prospective studies.
Systematic Review
Does MASLD increase atherosclerosis in adults with Type 2 Diabetes?
In patients with T2D, MASLD (particularly with liver fibrosis) is associated with more advanced stages of atherosclerosis such as plaque presence or progression, though associations with early subclinical markers remain inconsistent.
(Diaconu) et al. (2026) conducted a systematic review in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and MASLD. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was evaluated on Atherosclerosis (carotid plaque progression, CIMT, pulse wave velocity). MASLD in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with increased carotid plaque progression, with hepatic fibrosis acting as a stronger determinant of atherosclerosis than steatosis alone.