Roundup: Leading Cause of Liver Disease Rising Sharply; Anxiety Screenings for Adults Under 65; and More News

Endocrinologists: U.S. Prevalence of ‘Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease’ is Increasing

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is increasing significantly in the United States, according to the latest research. MAFLD is the leading global cause of liver disease and is fast becoming the most common indication for liver transplantation.

MAFLD affects an estimated 100 million U.S. adults, a figure which has reportedly doubled over the past 20 years – primarily fueled by epidemics in obesity and diabetes. That’s because MAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. The American Liver Foundation has previously estimated that MAFLD affects up to 25 percent of people in the United States.

In the new study presented this month at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, researchers analyzed data on 32,726 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

They collected the health information from 1988 to 2018. According to their findings: MAFLD increased from 16 percent of participants in 1988 to 37 percent in 2018, which represents a 131 percent increase. Comparatively, the rate of obesity increased from 23 percent in 1988 to 40 percent in 2018, which is a 74 percent increase.

“We found that overall, both MAFLD and obesity increased with time, with the increase in MAFLD greater than the increase in obesity,” said researcher Theodore C. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in Los Angeles, Calif., in a statement.

Moreover, MAFLD affects U.S. Hispanics at a higher prevalence compared to Blacks and Whites, added Dr. Friedman. “This racial/ethnic disparity is a public health concern.”

(Here’s information on Endocrinology Services at Baptist Health South Florida.)

For First Time, U.S. Health Panel Urges Anxiety Screenings for Adults Under 65

For the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is recommending screening adults younger than 65 for anxiety disorders as concerns grow of a burgeoning mental health crisis. The Task Force continues to recommend screening all adults, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, for depression.

The USPSTF, an influential panel of independent medical experts, said screening and follow-up care can reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression. Anxiety disorders can affect people of all ages, but there is limited evidence on the benefits and harms of screening adults 65 or older, the Task Force stated.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. All forms are characterized by excessive fear or worry that interferes with normal activities.

"Amid the mental health crisis in the United States, the Task Force worked to provide primary care professionals and their patients with recommendations on evidence-based screening,” said Task Force vice chair Michael Silverstein, M.D., M.P.H., in a statement. “Fortunately, screening all adults for depression, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, and screening adults younger than 65 for anxiety disorders is effective in identifying these conditions so adults can receive the care they need.”

In October 2022, the Task Force said it would recommend anxiety screening, but waited for public input before making it final. In October, the USPSTF also recommended anxiety screening for children ages 8 to 18. This month's final recommendation for adults under 65 is published in JAMA, the American Medical Association’s journal.

CDC: Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. Adults have been Diagnosed With Depression, But Prevalence Varies Greatly by State

The percentage of US adults who have been diagnosed at some point in their lives with depression ranges greatly by state, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which refers to this mental health condition as a  "major contributor to mortality, morbidity, disability, and economic costs in the United States."

Overall, the CDC finds that in 2020, 18.4 percent of U.S. adults reported having ever been diagnosed with depression in their lifetimes. However, if measured state by state that percentage of adults ranged from an estimated 12.7 percent in Hawaii to 27.5 percent in West Virginia.

The highest prevalence of having ever been diagnosed with depression by a healthcare professional was found among young adults (aged 18–24 years). The prevalence of depression overall was 24 percent among women, compared with 13.3 percent among men.

Researchers reviewed data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, focusing on  how adults answered survey questions in 2020 about whether they have ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional that they had a depressive disorder.

Nearly 400,000 adults in all 50 states and Washington, DC, responded to the depression question. The survey data showed that the 10 states with the highest prevalence of adults reporting that they’ve been diagnosed with depression were, in descending order: West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Vermont, Alabama, Louisiana, Washington, Missouri, and Montana.

States the CDC: “This report provides current estimates of national, state-level, and county-level prevalence of adults reporting a lifetime diagnosis of depression. These estimates can help decision-makers guide resource allocation to areas where the need is greatest.”