Khung Keong Yeo (Singapore)
National Heart Centre Singapore Department of CardiologyAuthor of 1 Presentation
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND PRECLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN A HEALTHY ASIAN POPULATION
Abstract
Background and Aims
This study investigates the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and subclinical coronary artery disease (as measured by Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS)) in a healthy Asian population.
Methods
The SingHEART population consists of healthy subjects aged 21-69 years without prior cardiovascular disease or diabetes. CAC was detected using an electron beam CT scanner, scored using the Agatston method, and further stratified into CACS >0, >10, and >100. Hepatic steatosis was simultaneously diagnosed by radiologists from the CT-slices. NAFLD was defined as the presence of hepatic steatosis in the absence of alcoholic consumption > 20g/day.
Results
Of 663 subjects, the overall prevalence of NAFLD was 8.30%. 194 (29.4%) subjects demonstrated coronary artery calcification (CACS> 0), amongst which 147 (22.2%) had CACS>10, and 60 (9.04%) had CACS>100. Participants with NAFLD were more likely to have CACS>0 (p=0.014) and >10 (p=0.003). After multivariable adjustment, the association between NAFLD and CACS>0 was attenuated, however NAFLD was still significantly associated with CACS>10 (Odds Ratio [95% CI]: 2.19 [1.01-4.76]).
Conclusions
NAFLD is not uncommon even in lower risk, healthy populations and is associated with at least mild subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. This highlights a subset who may benefit from preventative strategies to mitigate progression to known cardiovascular disease.