Development and validation of an image biomarker to identify metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis: MR–MASH score
Diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) requires histology. In this study, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score was developed and validated to identify MASH in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Secondarily, a screening strategy for MASH diagnosis was investigated.
Combining fat fraction (PDFF) and waist circumference, this innovative approach, developed and validated with 317 patients with Steatotic Liver Disease (Spain, Portugal, USA, with different MR protocols), demonstrated remarkable accuracy (AUC = .88) in detecting MASH, showing strong correlation with liver biopsy.
The MR-MASH score’s sensitivity and specificity adds clinical utility in the identification and management of MASH, outperforming existing screening strategies. It’s a significant step toward better care for patients at risk of disease progression.
Marti-Aguado D, Arnouk J, Liang JX, Lara-Romero C, Behari J, Furlan A, Jimenez-Pastor A, Ten-Esteve A, Alfaro-Cervello C, Bauza M, Gallen-Peris A, Gimeno-Torres M, Merino-Murgui V, Perez-Girbes A, Benlloch S, Pérez-Rojas J, Puglia V, Ferrández-Izquierdo A, Aguilera V, Giesteira B, França M, Monton C, Escudero-García D, Alberich-Bayarri Á, Serra MA, Bataller R, Romero-Gomez M, Marti-Bonmati L. Development and validation of an image biomarker to identify metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis: MR-MASH score. Liver Int. 2024 Jan;44(1):202-213. doi: 10.1111/liv.15766. Epub 2023 Oct 30. Erratum in: Liver Int. 2025 Apr;45(4):e16190. doi: 10.1111/liv.16190. PMID: 37904633.