Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease severity / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Invasive coronary angiography (CAG) is a common approach as an intervention for CAD. However, the association between angiographic severity of coronary artery and NAFLD remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between NAFLD and CAD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 542 consecutive patients who planned to undergo CAG due to a suspected CAD were enrolled. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed before angiography to detect NAFLD. CAD was defined as stenosis of at least 50% in at least one major coronary artery. The severity of CAD was assessed by the number of vessels affected and the vessel score multiplied by the severity score (Gensini score). Significant stenosis was defined as 70% or greater reduction in lumen diameter. A probability value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 542 patients studied, 248 (45.8%) were found to have NAFLD by abdominal CT, and 382 patients (88%) were found to have significant CAD by CAG. Age, diabetes mellitus, waist circumference, body mass index, and obesity were associated with NAFLD. According to the results of Logistic regression analysis, the presence of NAFLD independently increased the risk for CAD, as seen in CAG (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.585 (4.617-12.461); P < 0.001). NAFLD was significantly more common in patients as CAD severity increased (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The presence of NAFLD is associated with high severity of CAD, requiring that patients with abdominal obesity be also investigated for NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD should be closely followed up for the presence and severity of CAD.</p>