We are pleased to announce the launch of the STEatotic Liver Disease in Latin America (STELLA) project, a multinational initiative aimed at advancing our understanding of steatotic liver diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged as one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease globally. Its prevalence is estimated at 25% worldwide, with an even higher rate of 31% in South America. Concurrently, Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) remains a significant health concern, particularly in Western countries. The rising incidence of these conditions is attributed to factors such as sustained alcohol consumption, increasing obesity rates, and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Genetic factors also play a crucial role in the onset and progression of steatotic liver diseases. Variants such as the PNPLA3 gene are prevalent in Latin American populations and are associated with increased susceptibility to liver diseases, including MASLD and ALD. Despite these insights, there is a lack of regional data on the burden and natural history of these conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Objectives of the STELLA Project
Primary Objective:
- To develop a large, multinational, de-identified prospective clinical database encompassing individuals with ALD, MASLD, and the intersection of both conditions (MetALD).
Secondary Objectives:
- Establish a centralized registry capturing key demographic and clinical characteristics to identify trends and determinants of clinical outcomes.
- Analyze the long-term impact of moderate alcohol use, marijuana, and other substances on patients with steatotic liver disease.
- Characterize patients with lean ALD and MASLD in Latin America.
- Assess the prevalence and clinical impact of high-risk genetic polymorphisms in Latin American individuals.
- Evaluate the impact of new nomenclature on diagnosis, disease burden, and prognosis.
- Determine the prevalence and clinical implications of metabolic hyperferritinemia in patients with ALD and MASLD.
Call for Participation
We invite clinicians, researchers, and medical centers across Latin America and the Caribbean to join the STELLA project. Your participation is vital to enhance our understanding of steatotic liver diseases and improve patient outcomes in the region.
Why Participate?
By joining the STELLA project, you will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of steatotic liver diseases in Latin America. Your participation will help:
- Engage in collaborative research projects of high impact.
- Identify regional trends and outcomes.
- Influence future clinical guidelines and public health policies.
- Foster collaborations among leading experts in hepatology.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- MASLD: Individuals consuming less than 20 grams of pure alcohol per day for women and less than 30 grams for men, with evidence of liver steatosis and at least one liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) or liver biopsy.
- ALD: Individuals consuming more than 60 grams of pure alcohol per day, with evidence of liver steatosis and at least one LSM by TE or liver biopsy.
- MetALD: Individuals consuming between 30-60 grams of pure alcohol per day, with evidence of liver steatosis and at least one LSM on TE or liver biopsy.
- Healthy Controls: Lifetime abstainers without metabolic syndrome.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals under 18 years of age.
- Pregnant or lactating women.
- Presence of other liver diseases (e.g., viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis).
- Hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria.
- Severe extrahepatic diseases limiting life expectancy to less than six months.
Contact Information
To express your interest or request more information, contact us using the following form. We look forward to your collaboration in this significant endeavor to improve liver health across Latin America and the Caribbean!
Luis Antonio Díaz, MD
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