Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been redefined as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which is linked to an increased risk of acute pancreatitis (AP).
In a study involving over 2,000 patients, 39% had MAFLD, which raised the odds of developing moderate-to-severe AP, although it didn't significantly impact in-hospital mortality.
The severity of AP was influenced by the specific metabolic risk factors present, with a dose-dependent relationship observed—more criteria correlated with increased severity and outcomes for the disease.