Associations of relative fat mass with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease and liver fibrosis: evidence from the U.S. NHANES 2017–2023

This study suggests that higher RFM is positively and nonlinearly associated with MASLD, and more importantly, with the risk of AHF and cirrhosis. Given its simplicity and non-invasiveness, RFM may serve as a practical adjunct screening indicator for identifying individuals at elevated risk of advanced fibrosis within the MASLD spectrum. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings.