Consumo alimentar e perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com esteatose hepática metabólica em um município do Tocantins

Abstract

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is among the leading causes of chronic liver disease and is closely related to obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia. This study had main objectives: (I) to assess the association between dietary intake patterns and the severity of steatosis in patients treated in primary care in Gurupi, Tocantins, Brazil; and (II) to describe and project the trend of hospital admissions due to liver diseases (ICD-10: K70–K77) in the state of Tocantins through 2030, in alignment with the Brazilian Strategic Action Plan for Tackling Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (DANT Plan 2021–2030). A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between April and September 2025 with 23 participants diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and classified as having mild, moderate or severe steatosis. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical variables were collected, and food intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) categorized according to the NOVA classification. Excess body weight was observed in 91.3% of participants with steatosis severity distributed as 39.1% mild, 43.5% moderate, and 17.4% severe. A cumulative ordinal regression model did not identify a statistically significant association between food group consumption frequency and steatosis severity (p>0.05), although a tendency toward higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages was observed among those with more advanced steatosis. The ecological analysis using SIH/SUS data showed a predominance of male hospitalizations and higher concentrations in the Médio Norte Araguaia and Capim Dourado health regions. Linear regression indicated an upward trend in liver disease hospitalizations through 2030, suggesting a potential increase in healthcare burden if current patterns persist. In conclusion, even without a significant individual-level association, the dietary profile and growing hospitalization trends highlight the need for interdisciplinary actions in primary care, emphasizing adequate nutrition, risk screening, and continuous surveillance integrated with care lines for obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.