Relationship Between MAFLD and Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B: a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

This multicenter retrospective study aims to study the association between the presence of MAFLD and change in liver stiffness over time in untreated and treated patients with chronic hepatitis B

Inclusion Criteria:Chronic hepatitis B monoinfectionAt least two liver stiffness measurements more than 6 months apartAvailability of data on hepatic steatosis (ultrasound, controlled attenuation parameter or histology) within 1 year of baselineExclusion Criteria:antiviral therapy with drugs other than entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or tenofovir alafenamide (for group 2 only)Presence of concomitant liver disease such as Wilson's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis or alcohol abuse (>21 alcoholic drinks/week, female's >14/week)Presence of secondary causes of hepatic steatosis (medication, alcohol abuse)Coinfection with HCV, HIV, HEV