PURPOSE: Hepatic steatosis is frequently observed in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). In type 2 diabetics, it is independently associated with cardiovascular diseases. In order to confirm and extend this finding, a large group of patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis was studied. METHODS: Carotid atherosclerosis was investigated by echo-Doppler, and hepatic steatosis by ultrasound and transaminase values. Strict exclusion criteria were chosen in order to avoid secondary forms of fatty liver and interference on transaminase values. RESULTS: Among 970 enrolled patients, about 20% were diabetics, half had MS and 76% presented echographic hepatic steatosis. In multivariate analyses, fatty liver and MS were associated with carotid atherosclerosis [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) 2.15 (1.27-3.63) and 1.72(1.12-2.64), respectively], whereas HOMA index was not. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were not independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis, whereas gamma-glutamyl transferase showed a link with atherosclerosis beyond MS and steatosis presence. The analyses of the 780 non diabetics recruited showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate that hepatic steatosis measured by echography is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in a large population mostly carrying cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors, independently of MS, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and/or insulin resistance.
PURPOSE:Hepatic steatosis is frequently observed in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). In type 2 diabetics, it is independently associated with cardiovascular diseases. In order to confirm and extend this finding, a large group of patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis was studied. METHODS:Carotid atherosclerosis was investigated by echo-Doppler, and hepatic steatosis by ultrasound and transaminase values. Strict exclusion criteria were chosen in order to avoid secondary forms of fatty liver and interference on transaminase values. RESULTS: Among 970 enrolled patients, about 20% were diabetics, half had MS and 76% presented echographic hepatic steatosis. In multivariate analyses, fatty liver and MS were associated with carotid atherosclerosis [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) 2.15 (1.27-3.63) and 1.72(1.12-2.64), respectively], whereas HOMA index was not. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were not independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis, whereas gamma-glutamyl transferase showed a link with atherosclerosis beyond MS and steatosis presence. The analyses of the 780 non diabetics recruited showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate that hepatic steatosis measured by echography is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in a large population mostly carrying cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors, independently of MS, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and/or insulin resistance.
Authors: Roger K Schindhelm; Jacqueline M Dekker; Giel Nijpels; Lex M Bouter; Coen D A Stehouwer; Robert J Heine; Michaela Diamant Journal: Atherosclerosis Date: 2006-05-08 Impact factor: 5.162
Authors: Monica Nannipieri; Clicerio Gonzales; Simona Baldi; Rosalinda Posadas; Ken Williams; Steven M Haffner; Michael P Stern; Ele Ferrannini Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2005-07 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: Douglas S Lee; Jane C Evans; Sander J Robins; Peter W Wilson; Irene Albano; Caroline S Fox; Thomas J Wang; Emelia J Benjamin; Ralph B D'Agostino; Ramachandran S Vasan Journal: Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Date: 2006-11-09 Impact factor: 8.311
Authors: Lucia Pacifico; Vito Cantisani; Paolo Ricci; John F Osborn; Elisa Schiavo; Caterina Anania; Eva Ferrara; Giuliano Dvisic; Claudio Chiesa Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2008-04 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: G Targher; L Bertolini; R Padovani; F Poli; L Scala; L Zenari; G Zoppini; G Falezza Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2006-01 Impact factor: 4.256