Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent condition that affects around one-third of the global adult population. It encompasses non-alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form that can lead to liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are particularly at risk, with over a third of them having NASH and one in six experiencing advanced fibrosis. While previous studies have established a connection between type 2 diabetes and hepatic decompensation in other liver diseases, the relationship in NAFLD has not been thoroughly examined. To address this gap, researchers conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis, aiming to assess the association between type 2 diabetes and liver-related outcomes, such as the development of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding. The analysis involved a systematic literature search and the inclusion of studies that met specific criteria, including characterization of liver stiffness by magnetic resonance elastography, longitudinal assessment for hepatic decompensation, adult patients with NAFLD, and availability of data on type 2 diabetes. Six investigators provided individual participant-level data, and the study was conducted following PRISMA-individual participant data guidelines. Overall, this research seeks to shed light on the relationship between type 2 diabetes and liver-related outcomes in individuals with NAFLD.

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