Sriwijaya Journal of Radiology and Imaging Research
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Sriwijaya Journal of Radiology and Imaging Research

Longitudinal MRI-PDFF Quantification of Hepatic Steatosis Reversibility During SGLT2-Inhibitor versus GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Arsan Saliha (Department of Internal Medicine, Phlox Institute, Palembang, Indonesia)
Dedi Sucipto (Department of Internal Medicine, Phlox Institute, Palembang, Indonesia)
Mischa Chantal Adella (Department of Radiology, CMHC Research Center, Palembang, Indonesia)
Ericca Dominique Perez (Department of Radiology, Gazcue Private Hospital, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jul 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Precise quantification of hepatic steatosis is central to managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MRI proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) has displaced biopsy as a reproducible biomarker, yet real-world comparative monitoring data and formal early-response prediction remain scarce in Indonesian practice. We quantified steatosis reversibility on serial MRI-PDFF during SGLT2-inhibitor versus GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy and tested whether an early scan predicts response. Methods: In this prospective cohort at a tertiary hospital in Palembang, Indonesia, 90 adults with MASLD (baseline PDFF ≥5.5%) were grouped by prescribed therapy (SGLT2i, n=45; GLP-1 RA, n=45) and imaged at baseline, Month 3 and Month 6 on a 3.0 T scanner using a confounder-corrected 3D multi-echo spoiled gradient-echo sequence. Two blinded radiologists measured PDFF across Couinaud segments V/VI/VIII; response was a ≥30% relative reduction. Analyses (STARD 2015) included linear mixed-effects modelling, κ and intraclass correlation, ROC (DeLong), likelihood ratios and multivariable logistic regression. Results: PDFF fell in both arms (both p<0.001; partial η²=0.66 and 0.79). Responder rate was 75.6% (95% CI 61.3–85.8) with GLP-1 RA versus 40.0% (27.0–54.5) with SGLT2i (OR 4.64; p=0.001). A Month-3 decline ≥16.9% predicted Month-6 response with AUC 0.895 (0.823–0.967), sensitivity 96.2%, specificity 78.9%, LR+ 4.57, LR− 0.05. Inter-reader agreement was near-perfect (ICC 0.986; κ 0.861). GLP-1 RA therapy and higher baseline PDFF independently predicted response. Conclusion: Serial MRI-PDFF reliably quantified pharmacologically-induced steatosis reversibility, with GLP-1 RA producing greater fat loss and an early scan accurately triaging responders. MRI-PDFF is a robust, decision-useful monitoring biomarker deployable in tertiary settings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

sjrir

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience Physics

Description

Focus Sriwijaya Journal of Radiology and Imaging Research (SJRIR) focused on the development of medical sciences especially radiology & imaging research for human well-being. Scope Sriwijaya Journal of Radiology and Imaging Research (SJRIR) publishes articles which encompass all aspects of basic ...