AUTHOR=Xu Biwu , Li Hailong , Pi Yijie , Li Kaiyuan 

TITLE=Global, regional and national burden of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in adolescents and adults aged 15–49 years from 1990 to 2021: results from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1568211

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2025.1568211

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=BackgroundWith rising obesity and diabetes rates, the incidence of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among individuals aged 15–49 is increasing, affecting their productivity, health, and quality of life. However, a comprehensive global assessment of MASLD burden and long-term trends in this age group remains lacking.MethodsThe study analyzed prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for individuals aged 15–49 using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study. Trends from 1990 to 2021 were assessed using Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC), with data stratified by Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), sex, and age.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2021, the number of individuals with MASLD increased from 343 to 666 million, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 0.95%. The number of MASLD-related deaths increased from 7,920 to 15,110, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. Over the same period, DALYs climbed from 399,000 to 751,000, indicating an increase of approximately 0.77%. Low-SDI regions showed the fastest growth in mortality and DALYs, whereas some high-SDI areas, notably high-income Asia Pacific, demonstrated a decline in these measures. Regarding sex-based differences, males exhibited a higher growth rate of MASLD-related deaths and DALYs compared to females, although the increase in prevalence was more pronounced among females. Age-group analysis revealed that the 45–49 years group experienced the most significant surge in MASLD burden.ConclusionOver the past three decades, the global burden of MASLD has risen significantly, especially in regions with rapidly increasing obesity rates. Despite progress in some high-income countries, the persistent escalation in low-income regions underscores the urgency for targeted interventions.