ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The apolipoprotein B/A-I ratio (ApoB/A-I) is a powerful clinical indicator of atherosclerosis. Although numerous reports have shown the effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on cardiovascular disease, few reports have examined the relationship between NAFLD and the ApoB/A-I ratio. The aim of the study was to determine the association between NAFLD and the ApoB/A-I ratio in prediabetic patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with data obtained from 701 patients (mean age, 47.9+/-9.6 years) diagnosed with prediabetes. Serum lipid profiles including lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, and calculated ApoB/A-I ratio as well as metabolic syndrome parameters such as fasting glucose and insulin were measured in each subject. RESULTS: Among the 701 patients, 340 (48%) had NAFLD. The number of male patients was 490 (NAFLD+, 276; and NAFLD-, 214). The odds ratios for the prevalence of NAFLD increased according to the quartiles of the ApoB/A-I ratio (1.886, 2.245, and 2.587) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD correlated with high ApoB/A-I ratio, suggesting that NAFLD increases the risk for atherosclerosis progression in male prediabetic patients.