Insights into risk factors of the Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease development among patients with schizophrenia

Introduction: The global burden of the Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) constitutes a significant clinical problem for healthcare systems worldwide. Apparently, a subgroup of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia appears to be particularly vulnerable to the MASLD development. However, exact risk factors in schizophrenia subjects remain unclear to date. Material and methods: The article is a literature narrative review concentrating on the particular risk factors identification for MASLD development among patients with schizophrenia. Internet scientific bases were searched by three independent investigators throughout February-July 2024 for relevant original and review articles from 2000-2024 using different combinations of MeSH terms: “antipsychotics”, “diabetes”, “dietary habits”, “dyslipidemia”, “inflammation”, “intestinal permeability”, “insulin resistance”, “metabolic-associated fatty liver disease”, “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”, “metabolic syndrome”, “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”, “obesity”, “prevention”, “socioeconomic status”, “treatment”. Furthermore, a reference search was conducted to find other important manuscripts. Articles in other language than English were excluded from the search. The Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles was used to ensure the appropriate quality of this review. Results: Socioeconomic conditions, improper dietary habits, lack of physical activity, smoking addiction issue, gut microbiota dysfunction or the use of antipsychotics may act as trigger points for the MASLD development among patients with schizophrenia. Conclusions: The identification of particular risk factors of MASLD development among schizophrenia subjects may help to establish a multidisciplinary healthcare programme primarily aimed at MASLD and its complications prevention, early detection and proper treatment.