Fat accumulation in the liver may vary by diabetes subtypes, even when (BMI) is similar. A study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, used magnetic resonance (MR) and MR electrography to assess liver fat content and stiffness in 31 adults with LADA, compared with 31 patients each with T1D and T2D. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was measured using by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Liver steatosis, defined as (PDFF >5.5%, was observed in 54.8% of participants with T2D, compared with 3.2% of those with LADA and none with T1D (P < 0.001). Liver stiffness measurements did not differ significantly between groups. VAT was associated with liver fat across all participants, while BMI predicted both liver fat and stiffness only in T2D. Associations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and VAT with stiffness varied by  diabetes type. Kidney function showed an inverse associated with liver stiffness across the cohort.

These findings suggest that liver fat accumulates in LADA and T1D differs from that in T2D, reflecting distinct patterns of fat distribution and metabolic risk profiles, even with comparable BMI.