Latest news with #Echosens
Medscape
5 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Waist Size Proves Key to Assessing Liver Health
TOPLINE: Waist circumference is the strongest predictor of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its progression to steatohepatitis and liver stiffness in both the general adult population and in those with diabetes or multiple metabolic comorbidities. METHODOLOGY: MASLD affects 1 in 3 individuals and is linked to rising abdominal obesity and visceral fat deposition. Although BMI estimates fat mass, it does not reflect fat distribution as well as parameters like waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio. Researchers analyzed 2017-2023 survey data from adults with available liver health and relevant anthropometric measurements to study the association between body composition parameters and the risk for MASLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and liver stiffness. Body composition parameters evaluated included height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, body adiposity index, BMI, body roundness index, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-adjusted BMI, and weight-adjusted waist index. MASLD was defined by a controlled attenuation parameter ≥ 275 dB/m with metabolic dysfunction, MASH by a FibroScan (Echosens ) aspartate aminotransferase score ≥ 0.35, and increased liver stiffness by a stiffness measurement ≥ 8 kPa. TAKEAWAY: Among 11,579 participants (median age, 51 years; 47% men), MASLD was present in 40.9%, MASH in 6.5%, and increased liver stiffness in 9.9%. Waist circumference, and not BMI or waist-to-height ratio, achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC, 0.82) for MASLD, followed by increased liver stiffness (AUC, 0.75) and MASH (AUC, 0.73), consistently outperforming other indices. Similar observations were found in patients with diabetes and multiple metabolic comorbidities. In sex‐stratified analyses, waist circumference-based markers, such as body roundness index and waist-to-height ratio, were the strongest predictors in both men and women, followed by waist circumference alone. The association between waist circumference and MASLD risk was nonlinear, with the risk plateauing slightly above 100 cm. MASH risk rose linearly across all waist circumferences, whereas elevated liver stiffness risk increased sharply only above 100 cm. IN PRACTICE: "Waist circumference, particularly in the absence of overt obesity, should be considered as the preferred body composition parameter in individuals at risk of MASLD, MASH or fibrosis," the authors wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Laurens A. van Kleef, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It was published online in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design prevented analysis of changes in body composition and liver outcomes over time. Data on steatohepatitis were unavailable for a portion of the study timeframe. Liver stiffness measurements may be unreliable in individuals with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. DISCLOSURES: The Foundation for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, provided financial support for this study. Some authors declared receiving honoraria, grants, speaker fees, personal royalties; served as consultants; and had other ties with various organizations and pharmaceutical companies. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim Expand Long-Standing Collaboration to Accelerate Progress in MASH Diagnosis and Care
PARIS, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) emerges as one of the most dangerous and underdiagnosed drivers of liver failure—affecting more than 250 million people worldwide—Echosens, the leader in non-invasive liver diagnostics, and Boehringer Ingelheim, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced an expansion of their long-standing partnership to change the trajectory of the disease by moving beyond clinical trials to focus on early detection, diagnosis, and access to care. By combining their diagnostic and therapeutic expertise, Echosens and Boehringer Ingelheim aim to help close persistent gaps in awareness, real-world evidence, and clinical adoption. This next phase of partnership will include: Raising awareness of MASH among patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the urgent need for early screening and diagnosis. Encouraging the adoption of streamlined care pathways by fostering collaboration across healthcare organizations and medical specialties. Expanding awareness and access to non-invasive technologies (NITs), including scientific collaborations to generate evidence relating to NITs in the care of people living with MASH. "For too long, serious liver diseases like MASH have gone under the radar—but with MASH rates soaring alongside the global obesity epidemic, it's time to tackle liver disease head on," said Sandy Sommer, Head of the Therapeutic Area for Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Obesity and MASH are deeply interconnected chronic diseases that no organization can tackle alone. At Boehringer, we're committed to being part of the solution, and the expansion of our partnership with Echosens is one we're particularly excited about. We look forward to working together to drive transformative change in metabolic health for patients, doctors, and healthcare systems worldwide." MASH is a chronic disease that results from excess fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver. It is more common in people living with obesity and, left untreated, can lead to scarring, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Because the disease is often silent in its early stages, it is estimated that fewer than one in five people with MASH are formally diagnosed, underscoring the urgent need for scalable and non-invasive tools to screen these patients and support them with ongoing care. FibroScan®, Echosens' non-invasive liver assessment technology, has played a critical role in Boehringer Ingelheim's liver disease research and continues to support two ongoing Survodutide Phase III trials by screening and monitoring patients; as a non-invasive test, FibroScan® offers a fast, painless, cost-effective, and scalable alternative to liver biopsy. Survodutide combines GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonists as a novel potential treatment for MASH and associated metabolic conditions like obesity. Survodutide is part of Boehringer Ingelheim's research and development portfolio in the cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disease areas. Survodutide is licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim from Zealand Pharma, with Boehringer solely responsible for development and commercialization globally. "We are excited to expand our collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, whose innovative approach has the potential to further advance the treatment landscape for MASH," said Dominique Legros, CEO of Echosens. "This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to support the global liver disease community by enabling smarter clinical trials and broader access to non-invasive diagnostic tools. We are proud to collaborate with Boehringer Ingelheim and welcome them into our shared mission to improve liver health outcomes." About Echosens Pioneer in its field, Echosens, significantly changed the practice of liver assessment with FibroScan®, the non-invasive solution for comprehensive management of liver health. FibroScan® is recognized worldwide and validated by more than 5,384 peer-reviewed publications and 218 international guidelines. Echosens has made FibroScan® available in over 127 countries, enabling millions of liver examinations worldwide. About Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in Research and Development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. View original content: SOURCE Echosens Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
