Prevalence and Risk Factors of Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Benha University Hospitals Employees, Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: MAFLD is a common liver disorder linked to metabolic dysfunction and poses a growing public health challenge. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of MAFLD among employees at Benha University Hospitals, Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 85 adult hospital employees over the period from July 2022 to July 2023. Results: MAFLD was identified in 71.8% of participants. The MAFLD group had significantly higher age (42 ± 9 vs. 37 ± 8 years, P = 0.032), BMI (35.2 ± 5.4 vs. 30.3 ± 6.3 kg/m², P < 0.001), FLI (82 ± 13 vs. 56 ± 33, P < 0.001), and serum ferritin (315 vs. 195 ng/mL, P < 0.001). ROC analysis showed good predictive performance for serum ferritin (AUC = 0.760) and BMI (AUC = 0.745). Logistic regression identified FLI (OR = 1.102, P = 0.002) and serum ferritin (OR = 1.116, P = 0.007) as independent predictors of MAFLD, while BMI and TGs showed borderline significance. Conclusion: MAFLD is highly prevalent among hospital employees and is strongly related with metabolic risk factors. FLI and serum ferritin are reliable non-invasive predictors. Targeted screening and metabolic control strategies are essential to address this growing burden.