AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic syndrome (MetS) frequency and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 40 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients and 40 age-matched healthy control subjects. Common carotid artery IMT and MetS criteria [according to the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Expert Panel on Detection, evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP-ATPIII), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the American Heart Association in conjunction with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI)] were evaluated for all study subjects. RESULTS: MetS according to NCEP-ATPIII, IDF and AHA/NHLBI criteria was present in 55, 67.5 and 62.5% of NAFLD patients, respectively. The mean IMT was significantly higher in NAFLD patients (0.646 +/- 0.091 mm) than control subjects (0.544 +/- 0.067 mm), (P < 0.001). Among the vascular risk factors evaluated, the diagnosis of NAFLD and increased body mass index were significant independent predictors of increased IMT. CONCLUSIONS: As cardiovascular risk factors, both MetS and increased IMT occur frequently among NAFLD patients. Screening for both conditions might be beneficial for assessment of future atherosclerotic complications.
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic syndrome (MetS) frequency and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 40 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients and 40 age-matched healthy control subjects. Common carotid artery IMT and MetS criteria [according to the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Expert Panel on Detection, evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP-ATPIII), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the American Heart Association in conjunction with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI)] were evaluated for all study subjects. RESULTS: MetS according to NCEP-ATPIII, IDF and AHA/NHLBI criteria was present in 55, 67.5 and 62.5% of NAFLD patients, respectively. The mean IMT was significantly higher in NAFLD patients (0.646 +/- 0.091 mm) than control subjects (0.544 +/- 0.067 mm), (P < 0.001). Among the vascular risk factors evaluated, the diagnosis of NAFLD and increased body mass index were significant independent predictors of increased IMT. CONCLUSIONS: As cardiovascular risk factors, both MetS and increased IMT occur frequently among NAFLD patients. Screening for both conditions might be beneficial for assessment of future atherosclerotic complications.
Authors: Yasmin S Hamirani; Ronit Katz; Khurram Nasir; Irfan Zeb; Michael J Blaha; Roger S Blumenthal; Richard N Kronmal; Matthew J Budoff Journal: J Clin Exp Cardiolog Date: 2014