Assessment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in prevalence during present obesity pandemic. More than 25% of persons globally are believed to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Many reports claim that there is an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD is a silent disease in initial stages but progress to severe hepatic disease and increases cardiovascular morbidity in later stages, so identification and management of NAFLD are of paramount importance in preventive aspect of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hence, the aim of this present study is to assess the risk of CVD in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with and without diabetes and to evaluate usefulness of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a risk factor for CVD. Materials and Methods: The present study is a single-center observational study and it included 81 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Results: In these patients, cardiovascular risk is assessed by ASCVD score, PROCAM score, QRISK 3 score, and atherogenic index of plasma and compared between diabetic and non-diabetic population. The difference has been found between diabetic and non-diabetic in Procom_score, ASCVD_score, and Q-risk_score but not found in AIP_score. Conclusion: The outcome of this study is that there is an increased risk of cardio vascular disease in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk is further increased in patients with coexisting diabetes mellitus and NAFLD.