Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome · Jul 14, 2026

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Low Handgrip Strength Are Associated with a Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

By Han E, Lee YH, Ahn SH et al.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the influence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and handgrip strength (HGS) on the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population. METHODS: We used data from 20,611 individuals from the 2014-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MASLD was defined as a Framingham steatosis index of ≥23. Low HGS was defined as <28 kg in men and <18 kg in women. The 10-year ASCVD risk score was assessed, and high-probability ASCVD was defined as >10%. RESULTS: Individuals with both MASLD and low HGS had a greater risk of high-probability ASCVD (odds ratio [OR], 6.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.81 to 6.97; P<0.001) than those without MASLD and with intact HGS. The association between low HGS and high-probability ASCVD was stronger when MASLD was accompanied by advanced liver fibrosis (OR, 20.94; 95% CI, 20.04 to 21.88; P<0.001). In the population with MASLD, ASCVD risk was lower in individuals with low HGS who engaged in regular exercise than in those without low HGS who did not exercise regularly (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Individuals with MASLD and low HGS had a significantly higher risk of ASCVD than those without MASLD. Concurrent advanced liver fibrosis was further associated with increased ASCVD risk among individuals with MASLD.

doi.org/10.7570/jomes25061Open accessPubMed 42442922Populations