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Diagnostic Value of the Liver Inflammation Index for MASH in Patients With T2DM and MAFLD

A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of the Liver Inflammation Index for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) in Patients With Concurrent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07632677
Enrollment
10000
Registered
2026-06-08
Start date
2026-05-15
Completion date
2027-12-31
Last updated
2026-06-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

MASH - Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis, Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

Keywords

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, MASH, MAFLD, Liver inflammation index

Brief summary

This observational study aims to evaluate a new diagnostic tool, the Liver Inflammation Index, in detecting Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) among adults who have both Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD).

Detailed description

This study is a national, multicenter, real-world, cross-sectional observational trial designed to assess the clinical utility and diagnostic accuracy of the Liver Inflammation Index for identifying Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) in patients with concurrent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). The study plans to enroll a total of 10,000 participants across 22 major research centers in China. Data collection will be split into a prospective cohort (9,000 patients) and a retrospective cohort (1,000 patients). Each participating center will enroll between 100 and 2,000 subjects. Study Procedures and Data Collection: For all eligible participants, researchers will systematically collect comprehensive clinical data. This includes general demographic information, detailed past medical history, physical examination findings, and lifestyle questionnaires (assessing diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption). Clinical assessments will involve standard laboratory tests to calculate the Liver Inflammation Index. Additionally, participants will undergo vibration-controlled transient elastography (using the iLivTouch device) to obtain the Ultrasound Attenuation Parameter (UAP) for steatosis grading and Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) for fibrosis staging. Study Objectives: The primary objective is to investigate the distribution and alterations of the Liver Inflammation Index in the Chinese T2DM and MAFLD population, and to evaluate the overall detection rate of MASH within this cohort. Secondary objectives focus on stratifying the MASH detection rate based on several clinical variables: The presence of comorbidities (including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension). The degree of hepatic steatosis (S1, S2, and S3), as determined by UAP results. The severity of liver fibrosis (F0-F1, F2, F3, and F4), as determined by LSM results. Demographic stratifications, including age, gender, and geographic region within China. Identification of predictive risk factors associated with MASH in this specific patient population. Exploratory Endpoints: The study will explore the impact of modifiable, adverse lifestyle factors on the prevalence of MASH. Furthermore, a 5-year retrospective data collection (where hospital records permit) will be conducted to analyze the relationship between the MASH detection rate and various Liver-Related Events (LREs). LREs are defined as the occurrence of any of the following: Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≥ 15, liver-related mortality, liver transplantation, progression to hepatocellular carcinoma, esophagogastric variceal bleeding, or hepatic decompensation (including ascites, overt hepatic encephalopathy, bacterial infections, and non-obstructive jaundice).

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTiLivTouch (Vibration-controlled transient elastography)

A non-invasive diagnostic assessment performed using the iLivTouch device. This device simultaneously generates three key metrics: the Liver Inflammation Index (the primary target evaluated for its accuracy in detecting MASH), the Ultrasound Attenuation Parameter (UAP) for hepatic steatosis grading, and the Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) for fibrosis staging.

Sponsors

The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School
Lead SponsorOTHER
Fudan University
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University
CollaboratorOTHER
Xuzhou Central Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University
CollaboratorOTHER
Weifang People's Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Panyu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
CollaboratorOTHER
Southern Medical University, China
CollaboratorOTHER
First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
Zunyi Medical College
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medicial University
CollaboratorOTHER
Hainan General Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
The Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
CollaboratorOTHER
Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
CollaboratorOTHER
Second Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College
CollaboratorOTHER
Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University
CollaboratorOTHER
The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults aged ≥18 years, with no restrictions on sex; 2. Patients clinically diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) according to the Chinese Society of Hepatology guideline Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated (Nonalcoholic) Fatty Liver Disease (2024 Edition), and additionally diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (2024 Edition).

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of unhealed wounds, scars, or other conditions in the right upper abdominal region that are unsuitable for ultrasonographic examination; 2. Development of other liver diseases during follow-up, including viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, autoimmune liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, or other chronic liver diseases; 3. History of hepatic decompensation; 4. History of hepatectomy or liver transplantation; 5. History of other malignancies; 6. Presence of vascular liver disease, cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease, sarcoidosis, polycystic liver disease, congenital or rare hereditary liver diseases, mechanical cholestasis, secondary sclerosing cholangitis, or heart failure accompanied by hepatic venous congestion; 7. History of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS); 8. Occurrence of acute hepatitis during follow-up (defined as alanine aminotransferase levels \>5 times the upper limit of normal) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF); 9. Clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
To evaluate the overall detection rate of MASH in the Chinese T2DM and MAFLD population.Baseline

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Participants with MASH Stratified by ComorbiditiesBaselineTo evaluate and compare the detection rate of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) among subgroups of patients with specific concurrent conditions, including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.
Proportion of Participants with MASH Stratified by Hepatic Steatosis GradesBaselineTo analyze the differences in the detection rate of MASH across varying degrees of hepatic steatosis (mild \[S1\], moderate \[S2\], and severe \[S3\]), as determined by the Ultrasound Attenuation Parameter (UAP) via transient elastography.
Proportion of Participants with MASH Stratified by Liver Fibrosis StagesBaselineTo assess the differences in the detection rate of MASH among patients with different stages of liver fibrosis (F0-F1, F2, F3, and F4), as classified by Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) via transient elastography.
Demographic Variations in MASH Detection RateBaselineTo determine the detection rate of MASH stratified by key demographic factors, specifically gender and predefined age groups, to identify potential population-specific distribution patterns.
Geographic Variations in MASH Detection Rate Across ChinaBaselineTo evaluate the regional differences in the detection rate of MASH among the enrolled cohort of T2DM and MAFLD patients across different geographical regions within China.
Identification of Risk Factors Associated with MASHBaselineTo identify and evaluate independent demographic, clinical, and laboratory predictors (risk factors) associated with the presence of MASH using multivariable logistic regression modeling.

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTYan Bi, MD,PhD
biyan@nju.edu86-25-83-105302
CONTACTJin Li, MD,PhD
jinli807@126.com86-25-83-105302
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORYan Bi, MD,PhD

Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 9, 2026