MRI-Based Assessment of Etiology-Specific Sarcopenia Phenotypes in Chronic Liver Disease: A Comparative Study of MASH and Viral Hepatitis

Diagnostics 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: M Yasutomi, Kazuhiro Saito, Yoichi Araki, Katsutoshi Sugimoto, Daisuke Yoshimaru, Shuhei Shibukawa, Masanori Ishida
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16020306
Cited by: 2
References: 21

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a clinically important complication of chronic liver disease (CLD), but its underlying mechanisms may differ according to disease etiology. Quantitative MRI biomarkers, including proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), may help characterize etiology-specific patterns of muscle loss. This study aimed to explore etiology-specific associations between MRI-derived biomarkers and sarcopenia, with a particular focus on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and viral hepatitis. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 131 CLD patients (77 with MASH, 54 with viral hepatitis) who underwent MRI, including PDFF and MRE. Sarcopenia was defined by L2 skeletal muscle index thresholds (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Nutrition and Health in Aging Body Composition Measurement Techniques Frailty in Older Adults

Publication details

Journal / source
Diagnostics
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
16
Issue
2
Pages
306–306
Publication date
17 January 2026
Language
EN