Cystatin C Mirrors Fibrosis Burden in Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from the Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fibrosis-5 Score

A significant correlation was found between MAF-5 scores and CysC in patients with MetS. CysC levels differed significantly across MAF-5 quartiles, suggesting a potential link between systemic inflammation, liver fibrosis, and CysC. These results highlight shared inflammatory and fibrotic pathways, underlying metabolic dysfunction. Clinically, combined assessment of MAF-5 and CysC may improve risk stratification, identifying patients at higher risk for hepatic fibrosis and adverse outcomes.