Outcomes of Acute Pancreatitis in Lean Versus Non-lean Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Patients: A Nationwide Analysis

Abstract

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a key contributor to the severity and outcomes of acute pancreatitis (AP). This study compares the clinical outcomes of AP in patients with lean versus non-lean MASLD. Methods: We identified adult patients hospitalized with AP and a secondary diagnosis of MASLD from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS 2016–2020). Outcomes, including mortality, organ failures, and healthcare utilization, were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and hospital factors. Results: We included 34,388 hospitalized patients with AP and MASLD, of whom 14,443 (42.0%) were non-lean. Annual admissions increased sharply in lean MASLD patients (5339 in 2016 to 8247 in 2020) compared to non-lean MASLD (2273 to 3635). Non-lean MASLD patients experienced higher inflation-adjusted hospital charges ($5,324.01; 95% CI $3,273.42–$7,374.61, P < 0.01), a longer length of stay ((adjusted increase 0.25 days; 95% CI 0.12–0.39, P < 0.05), increased odds of respiratory failure (aOR 4.60; 95% CI 2.24–9.46, P < 0.01), sepsis (aOR 1.11; 95% CI 1.00–1.23, P = 0.04), cholecystectomy (aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.92–2.19, P < 0.01), and ERCP (aOR of 1.42 95% CI 1.11–1.82, P = 0.01). Mortality did not differ significantly. (aOR 0.90; 95% CI 0.69–1.17, P = 0.43). Conclusion: Our study suggests that lean MASLD patients with AP may experience a higher rate of hospital admissions and distinct clinical profiles, including a similar mortality risk compared to non-lean MASLD patients, indicating a complex relationship between AP outcomes and MASLD beyond BMI.