Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and diabetes: Together against the heart

Cardiovascular events are the main cause of mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and also in those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In this editorial, we comment on the results of a meta-analysis published by Shetty <i>et al</i> that shows an addictive risk for cardiovascular events when both pathologies are together. Patients with MASLD and T2DM have the worst prognosis related to liver disease since they have a higher risk for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, disease progression, and hepatocarcinoma. The meta-analysis included 370013 participants and showed that, although with high heterogeneity, there is a higher prevalence of cardiovascular events in patients with T2DM when MASLD is diagnosed compared to those without MASLD. Hence, MASLD and T2DM may have a new interplay regarding cardiovascular outcomes in addition to the already known liver-related outcomes.